Summer has finally arrived here along the Texas Upper Coast. This June, the Galveston/Houston area broke record or near record high temperatures on several days. But the trout fishing in June was really good. As the heat sets in the next two months, the trout action will only get hotter!
As the doldrums of summer set in, the water temperature rises in the bay. This rise will cause trout to seek the deep water structure Galveston Bay affords them. In July, the area known as the Exxon A-Lease should be loaded up with trout. The deep water structure of shell pads near these numerous gas wells will hold the fish to this area. Any given well in this location can be productive but some wells are better then others.
The shell pads located adjacent to the ship channel will see its share of trout too. Some of the oyster reefs are marked by PVC pipe. Some reefs must located using your depth sonar. Channel markers 50-62 are popular areas to fish in July.
In August, trout will begin their annual migration north. There will still be plenty of fish in the areas mentioned earlier. Some fish will move farther up the channel, staging on the reefs from markers 66-72 and around the tip of Atkinson Island. The wells located in the middle of Trinity Bay will also see an increase in the population of trout. These wells, just as the wells in the A-Lease, provide good structure for the fish. Trinity is a big open bay that can get rough, so plan fishing the open water there according to the wind speed and your boat’s capability.
Live natural baits work best in the heat of July/August. Live croaker and shrimp are the baits of choice this time of year. Croakers should be fished on the bottom, while shrimp can be used on the bottom or under a popping cork.
Eagle Point Fishing Camp in San Leon offers easy access to all of these areas and has a great supply of live bait during this time of year. They can be reached at 281-339-1131 for updates on conditions and bait. Enjoy the heat of the summer and its hot fishing! Remember to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated!!
Zodiac Open 5.5 RIB
A true Swiss Army knife,the Zodiac Open 5.5 RIB is perfect for a wide range of recreational activities. Photo: Romain Sandt
Zodiac-Nautic Introduces the New Open 5.5 RIB
Z Marine North America (Zodiac Nautic), a subsidiary of world-leading inflatable and Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) manufacturer Z Nautic Group (Zodiac), has announced the launch of the new Zodiac OPEN 5.5 in the Americas. The versatile, 17’7” RIB made its debut at an exclusive, day-long media event in greater Charleston, S.C., home to the facility where Zodiac RIBS are assembled in America.
An adventurer-style Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat (RIB) with sleek lines, the new OPEN 5.5 offers a perfectly ergonomic cockpit and an exceptional reinforced deep-V hull, with control and stability even in rough conditions.
“The Open 5.5 fully expresses Zodiac’s DNA. Its versatility makes it a unique concept, matched nowhere else on the market, in line with its new slogan: ‘Keep Exploring’,” said Dominique Heber-Suffrin, CEO of the Zodiac Nautic Group.
“With its highly stable hull and tube, the OPEN 5.5 offers comfort and extra-large cargo storage. Its versatility and performance make this RIB well-suited for a variety of activities, including fishing, diving, water-skiing and cruising,” said Zodiac Nautic North America President Gary Durnan. “This is a real Swiss-Army knife of a boat.’
For 120 years, Zodiac has been making every moment on the water an unforgettable adventure. With extensive production, distribution and customer service operations worldwide, Zodiac is the world’s largest and oldest manufacturer of RIBs, inflatable boats, life rafts and safety equipment. With over 1 million boats sold, Zodiac is positioned and ready to help you Keep Exploring!
Marina Bar & Grill at GYB
Enjoy a great view of the water from Marina Bar & Grill located at the Galveston Yacht Basin.
By Xander Thomas
A new haven for fishermen and boaters has come to Galveston Island. Marina Bar and Grill opened just over a year ago on the Galveston yacht basin, and is an ideal spot to relax for anyone out on the water for the day or for folks looking for a bite or a beer in a calm, friendly atmosphere. Owner, Paul Murdoch, says they do see the sailors and anglers often.
“They love it here” said Paul Murdoch, “they can come in from fishing and they don’t have to leave the basin to get something to eat and have a beer”
Enjoy an ice cold beer after a hot day out on the water. Photo by Xander Thomas.
Opened in mid-2017 by husband and wife duo, Michele and Paul Murdoch, Marina Bar and Grill is a small, outdoor place where people can look out on the water, have a few drinks and watch the yachts or listen to the birds.
The menu is comprised of mostly hearty foods, like burgers, fish n’ chips, po-boys, chili and pastas, and includes some appetizers for less hungry guests, too, but most of these are heavy snacks as well. For those up a little earlier in the day, there is a breakfast menu also made up mostly of foods meant to stick with you through a busy morning.
He did inspire them to bring in an authentic version of fish n’ chips from Scotland. Although he says it is spicier than what you will find across the pond.
Paul says that there wasn’t really a reason why they chose the yacht basin specifically; or even Galveston; except that it’s where they live. He says the location was chosen just because the property was up for lease when they were ready to open their restaurant. Of course, the beautiful view of the water didn’t hurt their decision.
“We just fell in love with it” he said, “and the chance came to open up this place, we just took the chance.”
Interestingly, Paul was not even much of a cook himself to begin with, but Michele says he turned out to be a great chef! He just thought it was an interesting idea to open a restaurant. Michele, however, came up with some of the recipes that they used for the menu, like the fried brussels sprouts and the crab and jalapeno hushpuppies.
It isn’t to say that Paul has no credit in the menu; he did inspire them to bring in an authentic version of fish n’ chips from Scotland. Although he says it is spicier than what you will find across the pond.
“The only people not turned on by it are people from the UK” he said with a laugh, “it’s too spicy for them!”
He did it this way because, as he says, Texans love their spicy foods, nothing bland for us here!
So what is it on the menu that Paul recommends?
“Everything’s really good” he said with confidence. “There isn’t anything that doesn’t sell”
But if he must give a recommendation, he says that you can’t go wrong with the fish n’ chips, or for the smaller appetites, go for the hushpuppies or gator bites.
Aside from good food, he also promises a quick meal if you don’t have the time to wait.
“Not everybody wants to come and sit and take an hour for lunch” he said, “it’s not fast food, but it’s quick food.”
Along with a great meal with a nice view, though, a major draw of this spot is the calm and quiet. Since they are not on the “tourist trap travel” as he calls it, the patrons here enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle that can be other parts of the island.
“Just try it out, I guarantee you, you’ll like it” he said, “You’ll come back.”
Marina Bar & Grill is located at 715 N. Holiday Dr., Galveston TX, 77550.
The Galley: Summertime Herbs & Grilling
By Betha Merit
Summer isin full swing! Time for grilling and refreshing drinks by the pool. Fresh herbs abound, perhaps in your own garden. Each of these recipes employs a different savory choice for a palate awakening experience. It’s a great way to discuss the nuances of herbal flavors, and discover which are the favorites.
Many offshore fresh catch options are available, including red snapper, mahi-mahi, tuna and cobia. And of course veggies are offered everywhere, from the supermarket to the farmer’s market. Enjoy these recipes one at a time or all together, if your tastebuds dare.
Strawberry Basil Infused Vodka Soda
3 strawberries sliced
3 basil leaves plus more for garnish
1 ounce wild strawberry vodka
6-8 ounces club soda
Ice
Place strawberry slices and basil in bottom of glass. Add vodka and muddle well with a wooden spoon. Let sit for a few minutes. Fill glass 1/2 full of ice, then fill with club soda. Splash with more wild strawberry vodka. Stir and enjoy.
Garlic & Thyme Tuna Steaks
4 tuna steaks (6 oz. each)
2 TBSP fresh lemon juice
1 TBSP olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 tsp minced fresh thyme
salt & pepper
In a resealable 1 gallon plastic bag, add lemon juice, oil, garlic and thyme and mix. Add the tuna and seal bag, turning over to coat. Refrigerate up to 30 minutes, turning occasionally.
Remove tuna from bag, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drain and discard the bag. Grill tuna, covered, over medium-hot heat or broil 4 in from the heat for 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare or slightly pink center.
Grilled Asparagus
1 pound asparagus, stalks trimmed
3 TBSP butter, cut into small pieces
1 TBSP chopped parsley
salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
lemon wedges
Preheat grill to medium high heat or an oven to 425 degree F. Divide the asparagus evenly among squares. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to desired amount. Divide butter pieces among each square. Fold the foil into sealed packets. Grill for 15 minutes, flipping once. Or bake in oven for 12-15 minutes.
Carefully open the foil packets and stir to make sure the butter and seasonings are evenly coated. Squeeze with lemon wedges if desired.
Creamy Cucumber Dill Weed Salad
2 large cucumbers, halved and sliced
1/4 to 1/3 cup sliced red onion
1/4 cup greek yoghurt, plain
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 Tablespoon dill weed
salt & pepper to taste
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon honey or sugar
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Let salad chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Down South Lure Weedless Rigging
By Brandon Rowan
This is a great way to rig a Down South Lure when fishing for flounder that are super tight to rocks, pilings or heavy shell. Fish as close as you want to structure with confidence and lose less tackle. Just be sure to tuck the barb of the hook back into the plastic and set the hook like you mean it.
STEP 1
Pull your rubber sinker stop onto your line. Add your tungsten bullet weight (1/8 oz., 1/4 oz. or 3/8 oz.) and slide both up your line, giving yourself plenty of room to tie on your hook.
Push the hook into the head of your Down South Lure, about the length of the hook’s offset shank, then push the hook through the underside of the lure and thread up onto the shank.
STEP 4
Lay the hook against the plastic and visually mark where to push the hook back up through the lure. Push the hook through the belly and up through the top of the lure. Bury the tip of the hook back into the plastic. The lure should lay naturally when rigged correctly. Slide down your rubber stop and peg the weight to the lure. This keeps the entire rig compact and less likely to catch rocks or other snags.
Gulf Coast Marine Powers into Clear Lake
By Rick Clapp
Well-known boat dealers Gulf Coast Marine have come to Seabrook. This legend of the marine industry, trusted since 1954, is now located on the shores of Clear Lake.
The Holmes family and owners of Gulf Coast Marine are very proud of their impeccable reputation in selling premium center console fishing boats with ‘moves’ like Everglades, Contender, World Cat, Sea Hunt and Tiburon.
Gulf Coast Marine prides themselves on customer service, repair and working long term with their valued customers. They are very excited to be working with their experienced and highly trained staff of their own and the Endeavor Marine Group.
According to marine maven and manager Richard Branscomb, their goal is find you the premium boat that is perfect for you and your needs. They also want you to enjoy what they call the ‘Ultimate Boating Experience.’ They have been delivering this promise since the first day that the esteemed Bill Holmes Sr. started this business 64 years ago. Son of the founder, Bill Holmes Jr. continues to carry on the family integrity in boating and marine sales. There is no substitute when it comes to their reputation and good name.
They have three locations; Corpus Christi, Hitchcock and now Seabrook. The Holmes family had the vision to see and understand the affluent Seabrook market. Our region is the third largest boating community in the nation. Their goal is to be the best boat sales and repair on Clear Lake.
Gulf Coast Marine will work closely with the talented team at Endeavor Marina. The soft opening for the Seabrook location will be early this July.
The Holmes family has made a major commitment to our community. It will enhance and increase our economic development and our image in the marine industry. They also promise to support local community programs.
Look to Gulf Coast Marine and enjoy the ultimate boating experience they will provide.Visit them online at www.gcmboats.com
Fighting the Good Fight Against Sail Stretch
Stretch is an unfortunate reality of woven sails. Quantum’s David Flynn takes a deeper dive on the topic and explains why it’s a problem, how it happens, and how to fight it.
The number one enemy of woven sail performance is stretch. Of course, the definition of performance may vary for cruising sailors, but performance is really more about control over heel and weather helm and optimizing upwind angles and less about boat speed (though that is not a bad thing). Performance is also very much about the functionality of the systems you rely on to make sailing easier–the furling system for your headsail or the in-mast or in-boom system for your mainsail. Stretched sails threaten the functionality of all these systems and ultimately your sailing experience.
WHAT STRETCH DOES TO PERFORMANCE
If your sails stretch and the shape becomes fuller as the breeze builds, all sorts of bad things happen. When sails are too full, they become harder to trim and will cause you to heel more than you should or want to, and the boat becomes difficult to control. Balance is lost and you get more weather helm, causing you to have to fight the helm.
Bad sail shape also compromises your ability to sail upwind. Full, bloated sail shapes are a particular liability if your destination happens to lie to weather.
Stretched sails can cause issues with your sail handling systems. I challenge you to find a cruising boat that doesn’t use at least a headsail furling system and depend on one sail to be big and powerful in light air, but flat and small in heavy air. Nowhere is there a better case for less stretch. Have you ever had an in-mast furling system jam up as the sail bunched and creased, making it impossible to roll in or out? The culprit was probably stretch. In-mast sails must remain flat and smooth or they won’t roll up properly in the small cavity provided. In-boom systems also have a small space in which to stuff a lot of sail. They rely on precise boom-and-batten angles to get everything to line up and fit in. If the leech stretches and the angles change, the system doesn’t work.
Think about the wasted effort of pulling on the furling line when your sail is stretched. The sail has to stop stretching before anything moves. Everything works better with less stretch. (Think about that for control lines as well). In the end, the functionality of all furling systems is compromised by stretch.
WHY WOVEN SAILS STRETCH
If you look closely at your woven sail material, you will notice hundreds of small, woven fibers. The fibers go over and under the fibers running in the opposite direction. This distortion is called crimp.When the sail is put under load, the fibers have to straighten out or stretch before they can begin to bear load.
Since stretch is a function of load, the bigger the boat the higher the loads, and the more difficult it becomes to maintain flat, clean shapes–especially over the life of the sail. There are very few woven sails built for boats over 70 feet today. The loads make composites the only reasonable option.
HOW TO BATTLE STRETCH
The good news is you can combat stretch; the bad news is that it is a never-ending battle. Every time you hoist a brand new woven sail, it will stretch. The more load you carry, the more it will stretch. The way to prevent your sails from becoming too stretched is to monitor their sail shape with photos, and work with your sailmaker to have the sail periodically recut. As long as the sail material is in good condition, a sailmaker can remove the excess fabric and bring it back to approximately 90 percent of its original shape.
If you’re in the market for new sails, composite–or membrane–sails are an excellent choice for cruisers. They are more costly upfront, but they resist stretch much better than woven materials as they are made with unwoven, bigger fibers. These fibers are protected with classic woven polyester (called taffeta in the trade) exterior skins. These lightweight outer layers protect against chafe, wear, and UV damage. There is usually a layer of polyester film inside, too. The film is equally strong in all directions, so it can help support the off thread line, or bias loads.
Whether you opt for a modern composite sail or stick with the trusty woven variety, following sail care best practices is always important. Here are some tips to help battle stretch and keep your sails lasting as long as possible:
Protect your sails from unnecessary exposure to sunlight and heat. The sun might not stretch your sail, but UV rays are a sail’s nemesis and can burn the material, rendering it unusable and disqualified for a recut when the time comes.
Avoid prolonged luffing and flogging. Flogging must be avoided since it will shake out the resin that holds the weave together.
Motor with your sails down unless they can be filled.
Never back a genoa against the spreaders when tacking.
Use the correct halyard tension. Halyard tension changes as a function of apparent wind velocity. Add just enough tension to remove horizontal wrinkles as the apparent wind increases. Ease when the apparent wind velocity drops.
Protect from chafe. Make sure spreader and chafe patches are in the right place.
Take sails off the boat when it is out of the water or not in use or for any extended period of time.
Periodically rinse sail with fresh water. Annual professional servicing and washing is recommended.
Store sails dry. Be sure roller furling sails are well secured when leaving the boat.
As your sailmaker, we’re here to help you fight the battle against stretch and make sure you get the most out of your investment. We are always a phone call away to arm you with information and help guide you to the best solutions.
Contact Quantum Sails Gulf Coast at gulfcoast@quantumsails.com or 281-474-4168 to learn more about how to combat sail stretch. You can also visit QuantumSails.com for more great tips and tricks to help you meet all of your sailing challenges.
Columbia Fishing Gear
Outfit your next fishing adventure with state-of-the-art gear from Columbia.
Megavent™ II PFG Shoe
It dries quickly, drains water easily, and laces up fast. The latest Megavent™ hybrid shoe is made for the professional angler who needs an outsole that grips when wet, an upper that resists stains, and an overall design that performs when the excitement hits.
PFG Blood and Guts III Convertible Pant
With a quick zipper pull, these pants convert into an 8.5″ inseam short that lets you adapt to changing conditions. They’re crafted from a lightweight yet durable nylon ripstop fabric that repels angling stains, resists harsh UV rays, and dries fast so you won’t get soggy.
Flycaster LS Hoodie
New from Columbia, this long sleeve shirt with Omni-Wick and Omni-Shade UPF 30 technology has a built-in hood that will keep you cool and protected.
PFG Mesh Snap Back Ball Cap
Built with a cool-wearing mesh back and moxie fish flag graphic, this hard-working PFG ball cap keeps the sun off your face as you reel ’em in—or run errands around town. A classic adjustable snap-back closure lets you dial in the perfect fit.
2018 Texas Outlaw Challenge
Countdown to the “Biggest Performance Boating Event in Texas” has begun!
One of the most respected and popular speedboating events in North America, the Texas Outlaw Challenge will kick off its 11th Annual event June 20- 24. The 2018 event is again upping the ante with more excitement and public events. The event of the season features million-dollar performance powerboats and offers the opportunity not only to see, but to hear the roar of thunderous horsepower, and feel the chills and adrenaline pumping through your veins as you experience performance power boating at its best.
This significant Texas performance boating event has the support of seven local Texas cities and city councils, including Seabrook, Nassau Bay, Kemah, El Lago, Pasadena, Clear Lake Shores, League City and Galveston, and is a U.S. Coast Guard Permit approved event.
The Texas Outlaw Challenge supports the local community and businesses with a substantial economic impact that is estimated well over $1 million each year. A more significant impact to the economy is anticipated in 2018 with the added attractions of Formula One racing and expanded public events – a fantastic boost to the local economy.
The Texas Outlaw Challenge responsibly supports several local charities, donating over $100,000 since 2008 including $50,000 donated to Harvey Relief through generous event participant and sponsor donations. These proceeds help the following local charities: Shriners Children’s Hospital, The Bridge Women’s Shelter, Boys & Girls Harbor, Clear Creek Environmental Foundation, Kemah Lions Club, Seabrook Rotary, Seabrook Marine Group, Galveston-Houston Families Exploring Down Syndrome, and various Veterans groups.
The five-day high performance packed event features over 250 performance boat teams totaling over 500,000 Horsepower that will be powering into the area from coast to coast including international participation from Canada,Europe, and Dubai, to name just a few.
Huski Chocolate Superboat debut.
There will be two BIG additions to the Texas Outlaw Challenge this year.
First, the selection of our Clear Lake community to host the season opening event of the International Outboard Gran Prix Formula One boat racing circuit. Second, the unveiling of a new Superboat Unlimited race team from our hometown. Superboat Unlimited features the largest and fastest boats on the international circuit.
The team unveiling will be featured on the evening of Thursday, June 21 at the Stampede Street Party that is open to the public in the Kemah lighthouse district.
Except for race participants, the entire lake will be declared a no-wake zone during scheduled 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. race activity on Friday and Sunday. We’re expecting a massive increase in water spectating and on-shore viewing.Spectacular viewing locations will be available by ticket purchase.
Saturday will feature the Gunslinger Power Run and Boat Parade.
In between it all, check out the High Horsepower Car Show featuring exotic cars, vintage muscle, extreme race cars and participation in the Steel Horse Stampede Charity Bike Rally, both held on Saturday.
Sunday, the highly anticipated Formula 1 Finals in Clear Lake will be on display with great spectator ticket viewing areas at Water’s Edge, Villa Capri and Endeavour Marina. Pre-purchase tickets online at www.TexasOutlawChallenge.com.
Don’t miss this fantastic 5-day Texas Outlaw Challenge horsepower weekend!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Wednesday, June 20
Welcome Outlaws – You’re in Texas NOW! – Sam’s Boat.
Thursday, June 21
6 pm – 11 pm: Stampede Street Party & Offshore Performance Display in Kemah. The highly anticipated, unveiling of the New Super Unlimited local racing team. Million Dollar Boat displays featuring cars, trucks, and boats. Walk the streets of Kemah, enjoy great Rock the Dock Entertainment at the Boardwalk.
Friday, June 22
9 am – 1 pm: Formula One – Pre-Qualifying Races and Radar Run Shootout. ESPN 2 will be featuring coverage of the Formula One Races on Friday and Sunday.
9 pm: Kemah’s Fireworks Display. Continue the evening with live bands, bars, saloons and local shops.
10 pm Miss Outlaw Bikini Contest at Cabo
Saturday, June 23
Gunslinger Poker Run
Register your performance boat and join the Outlaws on the water.
Sunday, June 24
IOGP Formula 1 FINALS
Tickets for spectator events/viewing will be available online. Pricing from $10 and up depending on the venue.
For more information, updates, registration and to buy spectator tickets online visit us at texasoutlawchallenge.com
Kayak fishing with Marine Corps Veteran and Hurricane Harvey Hero Donald Justin
Interview by Brandon Rowan
Donald Justin fishing in Iraq.
Where are you from?
I was born in Hagåtña, Guam but I grew up all over America. My dad was in the military my whole life and then I joined the military myself. I settled down here in the Galveston Bay area after I retired.
What branch of the U.S. military did you serve in?
I was in the Marine Corps. I finished service there and then joined the Army and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. I was trained as a combat diver and paratrooper. I jumped out of planes and all that fun stuff. I was a machine gunner in Iraq, too – not much use for a diver in the sand. I deployed to Iraq five times between 2005 and 2011.
What do you do now that you’re out of the service?
I kayak fish a minimum four to five times a week. Sometimes I can go two to three months without missing a day of fishing.
I like to fish. It’s relaxing when I go out there. Sometimes if I spot a school of redfish I won’t even cast to them, I’ll see how long I can follow them.
But I don’t eat fish. I ate fish every day growing up, a couple times a day. I’ve fished my whole life, starting in Guam. I’ve fished all over the United States and even in Iraq.
What’s there to catch in Guam?
Mostly pelagics but also different kinds of snapper. Guam is smaller than the city of Houston and surrounded by very deep water. You can fish in 1,200 feet of water from a pier and catch tuna. The Mariana Trench is just off the shore of Guam.
What’s your favorite place you’ve ever fished?
Florida Keys. I go there twice a year. I take my wife and kids and they do “wife and kids stuff” and I go fish. My favorite place in Texas is the Port Aransas area. It’s pretty good for kayak fishing because you get other stuff besides just redfish and trout without going six or seven miles offshore like in Galveston. I just picked up a Hobie Tandem Island just to go past the breakers. I’m on a mission for kingfish this year.
Do you have a favorite fishing moment?
The first time I got my son on a fish. He had just turned 4 years old and it was just a little 15” rat red, but he brought it in on his own. He casted and reeled it in all by himself on a spiderman pole and chickenboy lure.
Heroes on the Water provides no-expense kayak fishing trips for veterans.
Tell me about your involvement with the community and veterans.
For the past few years I’ve been a member of Heroes on the Water– Southeast Texas Chapter, which organizes kayak fishing trips for active-duty military and U.S. veterans. They bring the kayaks and all of the fishing equipment; they supply everything. The only thing veterans need to bring is a fishing license. They started in Texas but there are chapters all over the states.
Veterans can relax out on the water for a little peace. They don’t necessarily have to fish; some just paddle around to take a break and clear their minds. Heroes on the Water concentrates on disabled veterans, but all veterans and service members are welcome.
I fell into it because it gives you a chance to be normal and meet people who have gone through the same things you have. I go out for every event I can. They need experienced people and sometimes we lack enough volunteers.
How can a veteran or volunteer get involved with Heroes on the Water?
They can visit heroesonthewater.org for information on the closest chapter, and most chapters have a Facebook page.
I understand you put your kayak collection to work during Hurricane Harvey.
Yeah, me and two neighbors on kayaks, and a handful of neighbors on big lifted trucks, got a couple dozen people out of their homes. The water was so high in some neighborhoods that we did rescues out of second story windows
Right on. In what areas did you perform rescues?
Friendswood and Dickinson. Boats were awesome for rescue but there were dry patches in some neighborhoods. So boats would tow us as far as they could go, and we would go get people and bring them back to the boats. We even rescued nine border collies that are featured in Alpo ads and commercials.
Border Collies being rescued by Donald Justin after Hurricane Harvey.
My family was affected and actually my own border collie, Murphy, rode in my kayak that day. It was a real bad time but great to see so many good people come together. Were you affected by the storm?
I live in Webster and my whole neighborhood lucked out. Everyone came together though; cooking for people, collecting donations and opening their doors. I had three people that we didn’t know live in our house for four months. Their son has special needs and there wasn’t a place for them.
Well, aside from helping others and fishing, what else are you passionate about?
Old BMWs. I have 22 various BMWs. I’m driving a 1990 BMW today that’s probably nicer inside than most 2018 models; no stains, rips, tears…everything is flawless.
Wow, is that your favorite BMW?
No, that’s the only one I’m willing to put miles on. My favorite is my 1991 E30 318is; it was only available for one year here in the States. It’s a slick top, turboed and has everything done to it. I’m giving it to my son one day. (without the turbo).
Is it time to lower the limit on speckled trout?
Speckled trout. Photo by Garrett Blumenshine.
By Capt. Joe Kent
Almost every time the subject of lowering the number of fish anglers can retain crops up, a controversy arises that seems to draw a line in the sand.
Part of the problem is that there remain a large number of anglers who grew up fishing under no size or bag limits for saltwater fish.Fifty years ago anyone would have been laughed at if they suggested placing a limit on the number of fish an individual could keep, let alone place any size restrictions on the catches.
After all, there was an endless supply of finfish and shellfish swimming the coastal waters and there was no way fishermen could even dent the populations.
Unfortunately, it did not take long to prove otherwise, as freeze events and overfishing by both commercial and recreational anglers began taking their toll on our stocks of trout, redfish and flounder.
Toward the end of the 1970s, when the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) was compelled to take action, the bag and size limits imposed were met with resistance by many in the fishing community.
That mentality continues to exist and was noticeable as recently as seven years ago when the TPWD held public hearings soliciting comments and opinions from anyone affected by any change in the bag limits for trout.
One meeting that was held at the TPWD Dickinson Lab almost got out of hand, as guides, marina operators and others were quite vocal in their opposition to any reduction in the number of trout allowed.
While the TPWD passed on the concerns expressed for the upper Texas Coast, they did recommend and had approved by the commissioners a reduction from 10 to five trout for anglers fishing the lower and middle coasts.
As an outdoor writer and columnist, I have been noticing an increasing number of sportsmen, including fishing guides and others with commercial interests in fishing, supporting a change in the rules.
Many of those same individuals were among the loud protesters at the hearings mentioned earlier.
I asked several of those I personally know what brought about their change of attitude?Universally, they said that it was concern over the long-term survival of our stocks of trout.
One well-known fishing guide pointed out that the problem was of an environmental nature and that while recreational fishermen had a minimal impact, the solution required sacrifices on all ends.There is not much individuals can do about devastating floods or severe droughts; however, they can do their part as stewards of our wildlife resources.
Each year there are increasing numbers of anglers fishing the Galveston Bay Complex and we are at the point that our resources of trout and other fish just cannot handle all of the added pressure.
At this point trout appear to be the only finfish about which there are concerns.Reds have a three-fish slot limit and seem to be thriving well around the Galveston Bay Complex.
Several years ago the bag limit for flounder during the majority of the year was reduced from 10 to five and all indications are that the stocks are rebounding well following that change.
While anglers have a voice in the matter, the answers are going to have to come from the TPWD.If the parties are in agreement, the process should be fairly easy to get initiated. The legislative procedures will begin to get the regulatory changes into law.
Galveston Bay is the seventh largest estuary in the United States. The surface area of the bay is 600 square miles with a average depth of ten feet. The bay complex has survived floods, freezes and pollution and still continues to thrive. Changes to the bay have occurred ever since “Moby Dick was a minnow.”
In the past few years, the bay system has seen its share of droughts and floods. Ever resilient, the bay system rebounds and so does the fishery. No matter what “Mother Nature” throws at it, the bay system rebounds. This resiliency is what makes Galveston Bay such a great fishery.
There has been a recent increase in calls for a reduction in the bag limit for speckled trout. The influx of freshwater into our bay system over the past two years has made trout easy targets for some. A situation known as a “stack up” of these fish occurred in the bay and many trout were taken by anglers in the know, many of them being charter boats. Fearing another “stack up” situation this year from the recent rains and runoff this April, some anglers and charter boat captains are calling for a reduced limit of trout. The current limit is ten fish per angler and on charter boats the captains limit is excluded. A five fish limit is what this group is seeking.
Dick Daugird with grandkids Wade and Walker Winters.
A article that was in the Houston Chronicle dated April 4, 2018 deemed our fishery “fine and dandy” according to Glen Sutton of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. So why are some anglers and charter boat captains “beating their drum” for a reduced limit? Some of this group believes the trout population has suffered over the past couple years due to them being stacked up in one area for a few weeks. I do believe they became easy prey for some anglers, most of them on chartered boats. The question becomes, what type of conservation should be in place to protect our trout fishery?
Fact is, the average angler seldom, if ever, catches a ten fish limit of trout. They just want to go out and enjoy their fishing experience with the hope of catching a ten fish limit one day. Anglers on charter boats go out with the expectation of catching their trout limit. The captain, as the law is written, can contribute to the boat limit of speckled trout. I think we all can agree there is an abundance of charter boats on Galveston Bay. These same charter boats take a majority of trout from the bay system. So maybe we need to find a way to reduce the catches of trout on chartered boats. I know good and well that a captain fishing along with their customer catches and retains an unequal amount of trout most of the time. This ensures the captain of a quick day and full limits for the boat.
What I would propose, is that a captain CANNOT retain any fish on a chartered trip. They can fish, but with no retention or “boxing” of fish. After all, I feel the customers should be the ones catching their own fish to take home, not the boat captain.
I feel no one user group should dictate what the fish limits should be unless it is agreed upon by the majority of fishing license holders or TPWD officials and biologists.
The Galley: Savory nuts, wine and brie
Sometimes you want to entertain light. You’ve had a big mid-day meal and the party continues. That’s when you plan a fun wine tasting and include nuts, cheese and apples for substance.
Plain nuts are fabulous on their own, but savory nuts add a bit of spice, salt and aromatic zest. They also show a little TLC for your guests. The following recipes pair well with Brie. The creamy butteriness balances the spice. Wines that pair well will be more sweet, without tannins. Examples are Riesling, pinot noir, rosé, or bubbles! A jar of rosemary-herbed Spanish Marcona almonds are an easy third nut option.
Baked Brie
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place 1/4 wheel brie on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. Optionally, you may drizzle withhoney. Bake 5 to 7 minutes, or until cheese starts to ooze but not melt.
Hot & Spicy Pecans
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cups pecan halves
1 Tablespoon chili powder
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, mix butter (melted), Worcestershire sauce, red pepper, salt and garlic powder. Stir in pecans and gently toss with chili powder until coated. Spread pecans on a baking sheet and cook 30 minutes in oven. Stir every 10 minutes.
Curried Cashews
1/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cups roasted cashews, salted
2 Tablespoons curry powder
salt to taste
Melt butter in a sauté pan. Add nuts. Cook slowly over medium heat until cashews are browned. Move to a plate covered with a paper towel to dry. Sprinkle with the curry powder.
Something for every boater
The Quantum Sails Seabrook team discusses the designs for a custom sewing project. From left: Rese McLaughlin, Farley Fontenot, James Berry, Alan Woodyard. Photo by Brandon Rowan.
It’s no secretthat the team at the Quantum Sails Seabrook loft share your passion for all things sailing and boating. We take pride in working as a team and in the services we offer; going far beyond new sails.
Many people don’t think about swinging by their local loft unless they need new sails or [gulp] they need something repaired. However, there are a vast number of services beyond setting you up with a handsome new set of sails or your annual service that you may not be taking advantage of to help you get where you want to go, even if you prefer powerboats.
Quantum’s high standards don’t stop at our sails, it extends to every person that puts the green Q on their business card. Our team members are truly experts in their fields and work together every day to help you with any need, big or small. Here are some of the ways you can use your local experts to meet your next challenge.
Quantum Sails Seabrook Loft Service Manager Alan Woodyard fabricates a canvas boat cover for a local power boat.
CANVAS AND CUSTOM SEWING PROJECTS
Quantum designs custom canvas for sailboats and powerboats and even for on-land projects for companies such as NASA. We come to your boat, meet with you and see what your needs are via private interview. The pattern and frames are then custom created to your boat. We finish the job with a personalized installation and work to make sure everything is finalized to your exact standards.
Our canvas is sewn with SolarFix PTFE Thread which is guaranteed for the life of the fabric. We create every kind of canvas need for boats such as biminis, enclosures, hatch covers, dodgers, sail covers, and Roller furling covers. We also make sun shades for parks, ceilings for museums, and ceiling shapes for our local library and churches.
A specialist in advanced fabrication techniques from the Hood Marine Canvas School, Alan Woodyard will make sure your new canvas is the perfect solution for your boat.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SAIL FOR THE CONDITIONS
Reachers, runners, Code 0s, jib tops, genoas, windseekers, and staysails—that’s just a tiny sample of the type of sails that can make up your inventory. How do you know which one to use and in what conditions? And does the sea state matter? Ask us to come out for a sail and help you build a crossover chart to get the most out of your sail inventory so you have a better chance of winning that top regatta or a successful weekend sail with the family. Don’t forget, if sails are sun rotted, or too stretched they won’t do you much good, we can also help make sure everything is in tip-top shape for when you need it.
Quantum Sailmaker James Berry puts the final touches on a sail repair project.
PROLONGING THE LIFE OF YOUR SAILS
We take great pride in helping you prolong the lifespan of the sails you already own. Regular sail maintenance and evaluation in the offseason can prevent a costly sail repair later and will help your sails last as long as possible. Additionally, before you open your checkbook for a new sail bring your sails to us to look over. There might be some adjustments or repairs we can make to buy you some more time, particularly with our Precision Recuts. Precision Recuts give new life to your sails by restoring up to about 90% of their original shape at a fraction of the price of a new sail.
DIALING IN THE LUFF CURVE FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE
Take a picture of your mainsail and genoa when it’s brand new, and hold onto that for future reference. As a sail ages, sail cloth naturally stretches making the sail deeper, which in turn makes it less efficient. It’s great if you have the budget to replace your main every few years, but it’s not always necessary. A small adjustment can make all the difference in performance.
Quantum Sail Scan powered by VSPARS is a simplified version of the very powerful VSPARS real-time sail-scanning tool used on grand prix programs like Quantum Racing. Any photo uploaded to the program creates a digital version of your sail, allowing us to analyze the flying shape and determine where it may need to be recut. It’s a good idea to have the luff curve on your mainsail and genoa evaluated every three to five years.
These photos can be taken to your loft for tips on adjusting your trim and rig settings to get the best flying shapes.
ON-THE-WATER COACHING
Many of our customers are first-time boat owners. We’ll deliver your sails, and then go out sailing with you to get it set up and trimmed for performance. We’re available for on-the-water coaching to help you dial in crew work and communication. Farley Fontenot, the co-founder of Quantum Sails, has coached everyone from the J105 Local North American Champion to the 2018 new Swan 78 from Hamburg, Germany.
BUILDING A CUSTOM SAIL REPAIR KIT
Your sail repair kit should be unique to your boat and type of sailing. We’ve got a good starter list, but spend some time talking to the team at your local loft and we can line up the perfect kit for you. They can also give you tips and tricks on how to handle the most common repairs you’ll likely see during your adventures or regattas. You can also check out our photo guide to some common repairs and how to fix them.
At the end of the day, anything you need from sails to advice, our entire staff such as Rese McLaughlin, a 30 year veteran of our loft with a focus on spinnakers and James Berry, our highly trained and experienced service tech, are here to help you every step of the way – so be sure to use our expertise to help you meet your challenges.
Alex Leva of Blue Wave Boats
Alex Leva, left, and Tim Long with a mixed bag of fish.
Blue Wave Boats is excited to announce that long-time industry professional, Alex Leva has joined the company as manufacturer representative and director of fishing.
In his new role with the brand, Leva will be responsible for manufacturer and dealer relations in Florida and the entire East Coast.Steven Parks, Blue Wave president commented, “We are thrilled to bring Alex on board.Not only is he well respected for his work with other leading boat brands, he’s got a great eye for design, growth and marketing opportunities.His experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow the brand.”
Leva is a 33-year veteran in the boating industry, having most recently served as president of HydraSports Custom Boats. Under his leadership HydraSports Custom brought the world’s largest center console, the 53 Suenos, to market.
A little-known fact is in 1999 Leva visited the Blue Wave facility in Oklahoma with his friend and fishing buddy, Tim Long, to explore positions as reps.While Leva decided to stay with HydraSports, Long joined Parks Manufacturing and became a minor partner in 2017.Leva remained close to his friend Tim as well as the Parks family, who developed the Blue Wave and Silver Wave brands of boats.
Leva states, “What attracted me to the Blue Wave brand in the first place is what brings me back today; the versatility, performance and pricing of the boats is without comparison in the industry.”Leva is especially drawn to the 2800 Pure Hybrid and the 2400 Pure Bay for their inshore, skinny water capabilities and their ability to run 40 miles offshore into the Gulf.Leva goes on to say, “These hulls are magic.I totally understand why the Blue Wave brand is the go-to boat for the top guides in Texas and Louisiana.It’s going to be a lot of fun bringing these boats to Florida and the East Coast.”
About Blue Wave Boats
Blue Wave was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Seminole, OK. Blue Wave builds bay boats from 20’ to 28.’In 2017 Blue Wave announced the 2800 Pure Hybrid, the world’s largest bay boat.This model immediately gained the boating industry’s attention, even earning a Best Boat title from Florida Sportsman Magazine.
The agreement is a modified version of the Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application submitted to NMFS earlier this year, and will allow TPWD to establish the opening and closing of the red snapper fishery in federal waters off the Texas coast for private recreational anglers fishing from their own vessels in 2018 and 2019.
Based on current harvest quota estimates, TPWD projects an 82-day red snapper season in federal waters, while state waters (out to 9 nautical miles) are expected to remain open year-round. Bag and size limits will remain unchanged under the permit; 2 fish per person daily with a 16-inch minimum size limit in federal waters, and 4 fish per person daily with a 15-inch minimum in state waters.
In September 2017, NMFS invited each of the Gulf States to apply for an EFP that, if approved, would authorize the states to manage recreational red snapper harvest in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Texas submitted its application for an EFP in February 2018 and subsequently held three public meetings along the coast and set up a web portal online for official public comment. The public overwhelmingly supported the original EFP application and the combination of the private recreational angler sector with the for-hire sector. Under this scenario, anglers were projected to receive up to 104 fishing days in federal waters.
While NMFS accepted the EFP allowing TPWD to manage the red snapper fishery, it rejected the application’s plan to combine all recreational anglers into one user group. “While we respectfully disagree with that decision, we are confident that Texas can successfully manage the red snapper fishery to the benefit of anglers and the resource. As such, this is a positive step forward in our larger discussions with NMFS and the Gulf States about state-based management of the red snapper fishery,” said Carter Smith, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
“Historically, charter boats have been included by NMFS in its allocation for recreational anglers.As a result, I believe it was unreasonable for NMFS to refuse to include the for-hire sector under the Exempted Fishing Permit offered to Texas,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Chairman Ralph H. Duggins. “I have advised senior representatives at NMFS that I will vigorously oppose any future efforts to privatize the charter sector through the use of individual fishing quotas.To do so would undermine the fundamental linchpin of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation – that fish and wildlife are public resources.”
Help TPWD better manage this resource by downloading the iSnapper app on your smart phone and reporting your red snapper landings.
Tight Budget? How to get the most out of your current sails
Part of managing a sailing program of any kind–be it cruising or racing–is balancing the budget. From deck hardware to bottom paint and sails, something always needs replacing or fixing. Luckily when it comes to sails, there are a few inexpensive things you can do to help you extend that budget a little further.
1. GET YOUR SAILS INSPECTED
Sail inspections can bring to light not only torn stitches or tired webbing, but also use issues that may be causing damage to your sail. For example, broken stitching on the luff of the sail could indicate too much halyard tension or dimples in your spinnaker could be the result of crew pulling it down by grasping the middle of the sail instead of using the tapes.
Annual inspections should be part of every program with the goal of maximizing the life of the sail. Catching and fixing a few small problems (especially if the sail is older) can also prevent catastrophic failure on the water.
2. RECUT YOUR SAILS EVERY FEW YEARS
All sails stretch and lose shape over time and through use. If you’re experiencing the tell-tale signs of stretched sails–an inability to point, difficulty steering, or lack of power under sail–it doesn’t necessarily mean you need new sails. Many sailors don’t realize sails can be recut to bring back up to 90 percent of their original shape and extend their life at a fraction of the cost of new ones. Typically, one or two recuts can be done over the life of a sail. Recutting sails has been a common practice for pro programs for years, sometimes adjusting and recutting sails between race days.
You’ll want a handful of good sail shape photos to take to the loft along with your sail. And bonus points if you take photos of your sails on an annual basis! Click here to learn how to get the best shots and start your recordkeeping. If you’re curious about the recut process and benefits, click here for an article to shed some light on what you need to know about recuts.
3. HAVE YOUR SAILS PROFESSIONALLY REPAIRED
You might have saved the day with your quick fix when the spinnaker caught on a turnbuckle and started to rip, but did you remember to take it to the loft for a proper repair afterward? Onboard sail repairs are great when you need to finish the sail and get back to the dock safely, but they’re not meant to be a permanent fix. You’d be surprised how easy it is to forget you have a few strips of duct tape holding part of your sail together when it’s packed out of sight and out of mind. As you can guess, ignoring damage will not end well for the sail or your budget.
4. CHECK YOUR RIG TUNE
If your rig tune is out of whack, it can significantly affect sail performance. Before you throw in the towel with your current sails, check to make sure the issue isn’t your rig. Have an expert sail with you to see what adjustments might remedy the problem. This is especially important for cruisers who don’t regularly tune their rigs for conditions the way a race program might. We have more information on that here.
5. CONSIDER SAIL ADD-ONS
There are a number of sail add-ons and updates that can help improve functionality and extend their lifespan. Reefing points, UV covers, and spreader patches are all on the list. Talk to your sailmaker about what modifications can be made to help the sail work better and make it usable for a few more years.
6. LOOK BEYOND THE SAIL
It is important to look at the health and setup of your boat’s entire system in order to get the most out of your sails. Not all systems are created equally, and having the right sail handling system for your needs will help reduce stress on the sails. Roller furlers are great for easily and smoothly using your headsail, especially if you have a novice crew or sail shorthanded. Mainsail handling systems, such as the Dutchman and an in-mast or boom furling system, can also come in handy and help to reduce wear-and-tear on your sail.
Of course, the right system needs to be in good shape. If the sail handling system is failing, you’re at risk of damaging your sail. Similarly, sun-rotted lines or finicky winches pose threats to sails under load, as do sticky tracks and tired blocks. Invite your sailmaker or local rep to your boat for help identifying problem areas or to discuss options for improving your sail handling systems.
You shouldn’t give up on your trusty sails just because you’re starting to experience performance issues or they’re getting older. Call your sailmaker and explore a few of these ideas before you open your checkbook to pay for a new set. If you decide a new set is the right solution, use this information and the expertise of your sailmaker to ensure your sails are setup properly and you’re using best practices and sail care services to maximize their lifespan and protect your investment.
_______
Contact Quantum Sails Gulf Coast at gulfcoast@quantumsails.com or 281-474-4168 to learn more about getting the most out of your sails. You can also visit QuantumSails.com for more great tips and tricks to help you meet all of your sailing challenges.
Combining good looks and high-performance, these Columbia boardshorts cover all the bases. The Omni-Wick and Omni-Shade UPF 50 fabric protects from the sun and dries quickly. Stash your keys or extra tackle in a zippered cargo pocket. These boardshorts even have a bottle opener for those celebrations on the dock or beach. Available in five digital fade colors. Shown in Cedar Redfish Digi Fade Print.
This versatile shoe combines a comfortable wear-anywhere design and high-performance pedigree. Super-plush and quick-drying, the Dorado CVO PFG is built for the life aquatic with a breathable mesh upper, superior midsole cushioning, and wet grip traction. Plus, advanced water and stain repellency helps ensure a clean look whether you’re dockside or downtown. Shown in Zour/Emerald Sea
This slow sinking lipless hard bait by Yo-Zuri exhibits an erratic darting action during a twitch and pause retrieve. Use the smaller 2 3/4” size in Ghost Shad to imitate an injured glass minnow when fishing the lights at night this spring.
Small Yo-Zuri jerkbaits have long been a secret weapon for targeting redfish and trout around nighttime light sources. New for 2018, the 2 3/4 3DR Minnow in Real Glass Minnow is a perfect forage imitation to use around causeway or canal lights.
Spring means high winds, high tides and murky water in the marsh. Search out hungry redfish with the extra vibration and flash from this proven Strike King spinnerbait. Shown in Black Neon Chartreuse. Available in 1/8 or 1/4 oz sizes.
The FishStix “Kitchen Sink,”7’ Medium bait cast rod is built for throwing a little bit of everything. It has enough backbone and power to throw heavier baits such as topwaters, popping corks, live bait and crankbaits but still has a fast enough tip to be able to throw tails. It’s the perfect rod for beginners, everyday anglers, and guides because of its great versatility and dependability.
13 Fishing is exploring the future of fishing reels with the first high performance baitcasting reel that uses zero ball bearings. The result is a quiet and far-reaching cast that won’t suffer performance loss from debris, corrosion or environmental wear. A ridiculous 22 pounds of max drag keeps even the biggest fish in check.
Weight: 6.4 oz., Line Capacity: 12/135, Ratio: 6.6:1, 7.3:1 or 8.1:1
What you can see is what you catch when sight fishing for marsh redfish. This time-tested Wilderness Systems yak is stable enough for any angler to stand up in and gain a better vantage point. The 13”6’ length will keep you paddling happy vs. shorter kayaks. Shown in Mango.
Galati Yacht Sales Texas Manager Jay Dee Jackson continues a family-owned tradition of excellence
Galati’s first location at Anna Maria opened in 1970.
GalatiYacht Sales, a once storm ravaged Florida marina, is now a No. 1 dealership with locations in the USA, Mexico and Costa Rica. The company’s humble beginnings start with Jay Dee Jackson’s grandfather, Michael Galati Sr. in 1970.He moved his family of seven from New York down to Anna Maria Island, Florida.
“He felt drawn to Anna Maria, as this is the name of my grandmother. He saw this as a sign and decided to purchase a marina there that had just been devastated by a storm,” said Jay Dee. “From there, he and his wife, Anna Maria, and their five children worked to rebuild the marina and grew the company to what is now Galati Yacht Sales.”
Galati now has ten locations in three countries and carries some of the world’s finest yachts, including Maritimo, Viking, Prestige, Princess and Cruisers Yachts. They offer new, pre-owned and brokerage yacht sales with the ability to accept trade-ins on new or pre-owned purchases. Their Texas location is just off 45 south on Offatt’s Bayou in Galveston.
Join the Family
Galati Yacht Sales differentiates itself from the competition with a business philosophy that this family-owned company has lived by since inception. The third generation now leads the company and the principle remains the same; a passion and love for the industry in everything they do.
Their mission statement “Consistently Exceeding The Expectations Of Our Customers,” means clients are treated like family. Michael Galati Sr. was known to say that “Our customers are always there for us, so in turn, we will always be there for our customers. We must stick together as a family, work hard and earn our customers business.”
This work ethic has not gone unnoticed. Galati has been recognized in the boating industry in more ways than one. They recently earned No.1 dealer in Boating Industry’s Top 100 Dealers Award. They have won multiple times since 2007 and have now been entered into the Boating Industry Hall of Fame.
Every Step of the Way
Galati is there for its customers and can assist for every step of a yacht purchase — an exciting process than can be a little stressful for some. Years of experience and in-house financing makes for a one-stop yacht shop. Whether you are a new boater, or an old salt, Team Galati strives to make your experience one to remember and enjoy for years.
The relationship with the Galati family does not end after your new vessel is purchased, that is just the beginning. They are always available to customers for anything they need along their boating journey. From hosting boating trips to our endless service technician support, they are happy to put in the work to help you have a more enjoyable experience on the water. For whatever your needs may be, Galati is a name you can trust.
A Team Like No Other
“Apart from our family, we have been extremely fortunate to build an incredible team over the years. Our Galveston location staff members and brokers are there to support our customers in every aspect and have led us to only build upon the values that we laid our foundation on,” said Jay Dee Jackson.
Jay Dee is the manager of the Galati Yacht Sales Texas location. “My wife, Alyssa and I moved to the area recently from Sarasota, Florida and I am a graduate of The University of Mississippi with a degree in Business Management,” said Jackson.
Larry Smith joined Team Galati 13 years ago and boasts 46 years of experience in the marine industry. “It is a pleasure being associated with a company that puts customer service at the top of their priorities!” said Smith.
David Hunt is a native of Seabrook and continues his life-long love of the water and a passion for boats. He is a third generation member of Lakewood Yacht Club and a past president of the Gulf Coast Yacht Brokers Association. “I pride myself on my honesty, attention to detail, and desire to always act in my client’s best interest. Our marketing can make sure that your yacht is exposed to buyers throughout the world,” said Hunt.
Cory Webster is a native Texan and has spent the past 17 years developing his expertise in the boating business. Over the years, Cory has been fortunate to represent some of the best boating and yachting brands. “Working side by side with the best of the best in manufacturing, dealers and salespeople in this industry gets me excited. Seeing their values, passion and innovation keeps our business going strong!” said Webster.
Jordan Butler was born and raised in Galveston. The son of a well-respected captain, he was exposed to both the sportfishing and boating scenes at an early age. “Boating and fishing has always been a huge part of my life. I will always have a lifelong passion for going offshore and being on the water,” said Butler.
Randy Bright is a native Texan and has held every position in the competitive marlin fishing world as an owner, captain, angler and cockpit/wire man. “I stay very involved with many of my clients through the Houston Big Game Fishing Club events and several Gulf Coast and international fishing tournaments. I enjoy the friendships that I develop before and after the sale and spend time fishing, boating and traveling with clients particularly to the Bahamas and Costa Rica,” said Bright.
Galati is a certified dealer for Viking Yacht Sales.
Start Your Adventure Now
The boating season is just around the corner. Get in touch with Galati and they’ll get you on course to owning the boat or yacht of your dreams. Visit them in person at 7819 Broadway St., Suite #100 Galveston, Texas 77554. Call them at (409) 741-8716 or view inventory online at galatiyachts.com. Find them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @galatiyachtsales
Marsh Fishing in Spring
Captain Clay Sheward hooked up to a redfish deep in the marsh.
Spring may be the toughest season of all to figure out on the upper Texas Coast. It’s the first of our two annual transitional periods, and in my opinion, definitely the harder of the two to get a solid grasp on when it comes to patterning. With so many factors at play, March and April can wreck even the best made plans.
To gain a better understanding, we need to think first about where we are transitioning from. In a winter season like we’ve just had, the coldest in nearly 10 years, we truly put fish into a winter pattern. This is a pattern that can be predictable and reasonable easy to describe and understand. Fish tend to move slightly deeper and hold over certain types of structure or bay substrate. Food sources, though limited have become reliable and are somewhat easy to locate as they are larger and more visible than at other times of the year.
Temperature
At the first signs of spring, anglers can often do very well. Predatory fish move from deeper to shallower water as the air and water temperatures warm. The initial warming creates added temperature to the cold blooded fish as well as their prey. This change typically makes both more active and sends predators out in search of food. But this isn’t always the easiest thing for hungry predators to accomplish.
Everything is transient in spring; both predator and prey. Temperature and barometric pressure swings wildly during this period. Weather varies from mild to violent
and boating and fishing pressure is steadily increasing.
Wind, tide, temperature and timing; all of these factors play a major role in spring fishing. But the prevalence and types of available food for predators is still limited.
Spring Prey
Winter forage, like mullet and finfish are still present but the return, or emergence of other various food sources happens at a much slower pace than their departure during fall. Wintering crabs and shrimp that have buried in mud through the cooler months will be some of the earliest additions to the menu, followed by a slow trickle of various other small baitfish species. Keep in mind that this is a slow process that is triggered more so by the “photo period” or length of daylight versus darkness than it is by temperature. Many food sources don’t truly return in force until later in spring.
Wind
Wind is always a factor in spring, especially during the first half of the season. Light wind days are few and far between, and late season cold fronts can often push us well into the small craft advisory range. This doesn’t lend itself well to great fishing days and certainly doesn’t make spring inviting for anglers. With high winds come several other factors that influence fishing. High tides and rapid barometric pressure come to mind at the top of the list.
Marcos Enriquez with a nice shallow water redfish.
High Tides
Discussions on high tides seem to happen repeatedly during spring. For those who fish open and deeper water areas, the significance is reduced dramatically. For those who fish relatively shallow waters, the impact is quite substantial.
Big rising tides push small prey animals deeper into marshes and other areas where they can find cover from predation. The host of predators, like redfish, trout and flounder, will follow. Often, this puts predator and prey out of reach of most boaters and increases the overall size of the area we have to search. Fish become like needles in a haystack.
It often seems like redfish enjoy exploring new territory, and high tides are the open invitation for them to take off wandering.
Pressure
The large swings in barometric pressure during spring can provide both good and bad fishing. Changes in pressure seem to create short windows of increased feeding activity, especially when they happen in conjunction with moving tides or a moon position that would already cause fish to hunt for food. We can’t fish purely around pressure changes, not predictably anyway. You can shoot for catching the big changes as fronts approach and pass the coastline, but safety and comfort are often compromised. More often than not, most of us as anglers are stuck with the days that we can get on the water. It’s interesting to note, that even small changes in the direction of barometric pressure movement can effect fish feeding behaviors. Steady pressure, or pressure that is steadily on the rise or fall, often yields stagnant fish feeding
Timing
Timing, as I mentioned earlier, can have a huge impact on our success rates in fishing. Knowing seasonal patterns is very helpful in understanding when fish tend to feed in certain areas. If you don’t have years of fishing log information, then you can only go and hope for the best in finding actively feeding fish or rely on local information. Often, springtime doesn’t follow the typical feeding periods normally associated with summer. Don’t be one of the anglers that hunt out a summer feeding pattern this early in the year.
Bottom line, springtime fishing requires more thought on average than any other season along the coast. Careful planning, understanding the conditions, researching or having years of experience can help greatly. Knowing the available food sources, and making appropriate adjustments in your lure arsenal can pay off with big dividends. Most of the new arrivals of prey animals are quite small, which often leads to day where even larger predatory species are focused on eating small but numerous meals.
With careful planning, and an educated approach, spring can pay big dividends of big trout. But, if you think that you’re going to find a summer pattern just because of the rapid warm up, you will be in for quite the surprise.
Get out and enjoy the warmer weather, and don’t be discouraged by the difficulties. Instead, use the time wisely to cover more water and seek out the patterns hidden within the season.
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 ...
This significant Texas performance boating event has the support of seven local Texas cities and city councils, including Seabrook, Nassau Bay, Kemah, El Lago, Pasadena, Clear Lake Shores, League City and Galveston, and is a U.S. Coast Guard Permit approved event.
Every Step of the Way
