Dancing with the Waves: A Fisherman's Dream

My journey begins with a fourteen-year experience aboard Miss Lanae, sight-fishing while wading the crystal clear waters of Laguna Madre near Port Mansfield for redfish, trout and flounder. I tell how improvising and adjusting to location, conditions, and equipment made me and my fishing pals better fishermen. In addition, I write about some fascinating adventures into the dark, blue waters of the Gulf for giant bull reds and kingfish that only happen once in a blue moon.Times, conditions, and locations sometimes change and Lil Pal, my fourth boat, came into my life. I adjusted from artificial, to what so many of my fishing pals can’t believe, a bait fisherman. Together we have traveled through most of the serene green water along the Freeport coast. Riding her back for the last twenty years, has given me a multitude of experiences in search of raiders of the shallows while bait fishing. Along the way, I stored in my memory bank locations of newly found “honey holes,” some no larger than a twenty-hen nest in a chicken coop where wolf packs of our scaly friends make their living. In addition, I acquired a new understanding of the varied personalities of these stringer-size friends and how they react to weather and water conditions.My stories tell about people becoming fishing pals along with detailed maps for both boat and foot fishermen. These maps show exact locations, WHERE to land the big catch in order to have “a picture-taking day.” I explain my preference for certain types of equipment, rigs, bait, and HOW to use them. Finally and most important, throughout my writing, the subject of WHEN to wet a hook arises. Seasons, weather conditions, availability of bait and tidal movement are essential to having a gangbuster day. In conclusion, most of my tips can be used in many other fisheries. Read more