JustGoFishin.com BLOG

Jazz's First Walk On The Beach

2009-11-06T16:37:00.000-08:00

Meet Jazz, our new puppy. Today was her first walk on the beach and she really enjoyed it. A hole lot of new smells for her to leave her pee mail. She had got real comfortable by this log and then the surf came up and soaked her. That's when she got her first taste of salt water. Great day on the beach with my wife and I. Jazz is a 10 week old miniature Schnauzer. http://www.justgofishin.com

Help find Joe Houston

2009-11-05T13:39:00.000-08:00

Volunteers needed to help find Joe. Contact Amy Warner at 361-334-6703 for more information.

Nicole Lamberti 973-447-8051 for search planning resources.

Watch channel 6 News airs a segment on this recovery mission.

Eric Orozco Great Catches

2009-11-04T12:19:00.000-08:00

Nice 16" Mangrove Snapper

21" Black Drum

Eric Orozco from Corpus Christi caught these nice Black Drum and Magrove Snapper at the Packery Channel Jetty today fishing with live shad. http://tales.justgofishin.com

Captain Garza's Fish Fillets

2009-11-02T14:02:00.000-08:00

Captain Garza out fishing last Saturday caught some nice Redfish and Speckled trout using plastics. As you can see by the picture provided... the 25 inch speckled trout he filleted had almost a 9 inch mullet in its belly. The Redfish had crabs in its belly. http://reports.justgofishin.com

Luis Tellez Great Black Drum Catch

2009-10-27T16:12:00.001-07:00

Nice Black Drum catch by Luis Tellez while fishing the Copano South Pier. This water beast measured 44 inches long. It took Hector about 30 minutes to land him. http://tales.justgofishin.com

Rosa Hill First Keeper Redfish Catch

2009-10-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

Rosa Hill, Guided by Captain John Little, caught her first "Keeper" redfish at Baffin Bay using live trout.

Megan Little Great Speckled Trout Catch

2009-10-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

Megan Little caught this nice 20 inch speckled sea trout under the lights at the cabin by twin palms using live shrimp. http://tales.justgofishin.com

Captain John Little's Great Redfish Catch

2009-10-27T14:45:00.001-07:00

Captain John caught this nice 43 inch bull redfish from the cabin in Twin Palms last Saturday the 24th on an overnight fishing trip. http://tales.justgofishin.com

Sandy Mader Great Speckled Trout Catch

2009-10-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

Nice Speckled Trout Caught last Saturday in Baffin Bay by Sandy. This big fat trout measured in at 27 1/2 inches using live shrimp. She caught this on her 2nd cast in the Baffin Bay area. http://tales.justgofishin.com

Timothy's Great Redfish Catch

2009-10-23T13:45:00.001-07:00

Looks like the catch of the day! Timothy out fishing with his dad Matt at the Packery Channel Jetty caught a nice 22 inch redfish on live mullet. Sweet! http://tales.justgofishin.com

Jimmy Francis Great Redfish Catch

2009-10-23T13:41:00.000-07:00

Nice 23 inch redfish caught by Jimmy Francis on the packery channel jetty using live mullet. Jimmy is a local here and enjoys a great afternoon angling. http://tales.justgofishin.com

Floyd Henry Great Redfish Catch

2009-10-23T13:37:00.001-07:00

Floyd caught a few bull reds on live mullet and released them. Kept a couple of slot reds measuring at 21 inches and 23. Floyd recently move here from San Antonio.

Paul Sokolyk Great Redfish Catch

2009-10-23T13:25:00.001-07:00

Paul caught a nice redfish at the packery channel jetty using live mullet. Dinner will be on the table tonight. Visiting from Amarillo TX and enjoying the great waters of the Texas Coastal Bend. http://tales.justgofishin.com

Jerry Velek Spanish Mackerel Catch

2009-10-23T13:14:00.001-07:00

Jerry Velek caught this Spanish Mackerel on mullet at the Packery Channel. He snagged him in the belly. I guess we get them any way we can. http://tales.justgofishin.com

Federal managers shut down another Gulf fishery

2009-10-22T15:31:00.001-07:00

Federal managers shut down another Gulf fishery

Decision on Gulf amberjack shows federal management on brink of breakdown

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) continued its bizarre history of biased management regarding Gulf amberjack when it announced this week that the recreational season for the popular offshore species will close on October 24 due to the recreational sector overfishing its quota. This announcement comes barely two years after the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council arbitrarily shifted a significant portion of recreational allocation to the commercial sector

“There is no way to defend what the Council has done with the management of amberjack. It borders on outright disregard for the recreational sector,” said Chester Brewer, chairman of the Coastal Conservation Associations National Government Relations Committee. “Combined with what is happening with Gulf red snapper and the commercial catch share plan for Gulf grouper, this latest announcement gives recreational anglers no reason to have any faith in the federal management of recreational fisheries.”

In 2007, the Council declared that Gulf greater amberjack were overfished, yet increased the commercial share of the fishery while reducing the recreational bag limit to one and increasing the size limit to 30 inches. The recreational restrictions were implemented despite the fact that unchecked commercial overfishing since 1990 was the primary cause of problems in the fishery - see Recreational Fishery Hijacked, CCA Press Release, September 10, 2007.

“The reduction in amberjack recreational allocation in 2007 from 84 percent to 71 percent has to be the most egregious allocation shift ever enacted by the Gulf Council,” said Ted Forsgren, executive director of CCA Florida. “Anglers were punished for supporting conservation measures and the commercial industry was rewarded for fishing over its quota. The change in catch level was a direct result of NMFS’ failure to enact adequate measures to control commercial take and failure to ever enforce the adopted allocation. We are feeling the full effects of those failures today with a closed recreational season.”

“If the Council had left the allocation where it was in 2007, and where it rightfully should have been, recreational anglers would not have been over their quota as of the end of August, and likely would not have gone over even by year’s end,” said Dr. Russell Nelson, CCA Gulf Fisheries consultant. “This is a case where an unwarranted allocation shift from recreational to commercial two years ago is shutting down our season, even though we are not the root cause of the problem.”

Adding to the frustration of anglers is the fact that last year’s recreational harvest was under the quota, but that underage is not being taken into account this year. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, catch overages and underages from previous years may be calculated in the following year’s harvest limits, but doing so is not mandatory. In the case of Gulf red snapper, however, two years of recreational overages will result in a dramatically shortened season in 2010.

“The one-sidedness of federal fisheries management is at a level that makes it almost impossible to believe recreational interests will ever be considered in any meaningful way,” said Brewer. “No fishery has ever been overfished by recreational angling alone, and any number of economic studies indicates that the recreational sector is by far the most valuable part of our marine fisheries. And yet, fishery after fishery is closing down for anglers while the Councils bend over backwards to keep the longlines and nets in the water. In the eyes of many recreational anglers, the federal management system is on the edge of a total breakdown.”

Make your voice heard on this issue now!

Anglers can send their comments and questions on the arbitrary allocation shift that led to this closure, as well as its impact on recreational anglers, to the National Marine Fisheries Service at the following email address:

Dr. Roy Crabtree
Regional Administrator
for the National Marine Fisheries Service
Southeast Region
Roy.Crabtree@noaa.gov

Livingston Lures In Port Isabel TX

2009-10-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

One Day Only... Halloween, October 31st Livingstons Lures and the South Texas Sportsman are teaming up to introduce their brand new products in Port Isabel. There will be prizes and demonstrations from 9:00am to 4:00pm at the 1401 West Hwy 100 Port Isabel TX 78578

There will also be "Buy One Get One Free" promotions available this day only! Great opportunity to speak with Fred Rodriguez of the South Texas Sportsman.

The Livingston Team takes pride in the Texas community and wants to provide more knowledge and education for beginners and even those who have been fishing their entire lives. Introducing their new products, and giving the community a glance at the future in fishing.

Robert Castaneda, President/CEO, founded Livingston Lures Inc about 6 years ago and developed the Talking Croaker. He had his "flash of genius" several years ago when he received a musical Christmas card. He ripped the card up looking for the small chip that provided the music for the card. Today, Livingston Lures has an actual chip in the Lure that makes the croaking sound when ever it's submerged in water.

The company is named after a town in Guatemala where his grand parents reside and often go to visit them. This is where Robert enjoyed fishing with his grandfather, uncle's and brothers.

Livingston Lures Contact Information: Bridgette Castaneda, 210-857-8381, livingstongear@yahoo.com

Livingston Lures has contributed to several Corpus Christi area fishing tournaments in 2009 and the Saltwater-fisheries Enhancement Association. http://reports.justgofishin.com

Tony Aiello Great Redfish Catch

2009-10-20T14:10:00.001-07:00

Tony and Opok Aiello had a great day at the Packery channel Jetty. Visiting from San Antonio they took a chance that the red tide would blow through. As you can see, there gamble payed off.

Opok caught the smaller reds while Tony landed a nice 33" redfish on mullet. His redfish might have had 3 to 4 more inches on him if it wasn't for another predator that bit his tale off. Perhaps a shark or a dolphin, who knows? http://tales.justgofishin.com

Outcast Great Redfish Catch

2009-10-20T13:51:00.001-07:00

Looks like the red tide blew through very quickly thank goodness! As long as the temperature stay's cool we should be out of the woods. Out at the Packery Channel Jetty today anglers were catching speckled trout and redfish.

Outcast bought a nice wagon recently at a local home improvement store to carry his gear out to the Packery Channel Jetty. Sure makes things much easier.

Outlaw pictured above caught several trout and redfish. Pictured is a nice 22" redfish caught on mullet. http://tales.justgofishin.com

Feds to 60 Million American Anglers: We don't need you

2009-10-20T05:09:00.000-07:00

IRVINE, Calif. USA – October 5, 2009 – A recently published administration document outlines a structure that could result in closures of sport fishing in salt and freshwater areas across America. The White House created an Interagency Oceans Policy Task Force in June and gave them only 90 days to develop a comprehensive federal policy for all U.S. coastal, ocean and Great Lakes waters. Under the guise of ‘protecting’ these areas, the current second phase of the Task Force direction is to develop zoning which may permanently close vast areas of fishing waters nationwide. This is to be completed by December 9, 2009.

Dave Pfeiffer, President of Shimano American Corporation explained, “In spite of extensive submissions from the recreational fishing community to the Task Force in person and in writing, they failed to include any mention of the over one million jobs or the 6o million anglers which may be affected by the new policies coast to coast. Input from the environmental groups who want to put us off the water was adopted into the report verbatim – the key points we submitted as an industry were ignored.”

Recreational fishing generates a $125 billion annual economy in the United States and supports jobs in every state according to government figures. Through the Sport Fish Restoration program, anglers have provided more than $5 billion through excise taxes on fishing tackle to fishery conservation and education for decades.

In addition to the economic aspects, anglers lead the nation in volunteer conservation efforts on behalf of improving fish habitat, water quality and related environmental areas. “There was no mention of the fishery conservation efforts which anglers have led for over 50 years in every state – an environmental success story that has no equal in the world”, said Phil Morlock, Director, Environmental Affairs for Shimano. “The Task Force did not make any distinction between the dramatic differences between harmful commercial fishing harvest methods and recreational fishing, even though we spelled it out for them in detail,” added Morlock.

Claiming to be the result of a public consultation process the report states, “Having considered a broad range of public comments, this report reflects the requests and concerns of all interested parties.”

The original White House memo and not surprisingly the Task Force report contains multiple references to developing a national policy where Great Lakes and coastal regions are managed, “consistent with international law, including customary international law as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea” - a 300-page treaty the U.S. has never ratified.

“We question what implications there will be for state authority and jurisdiction in the Great Lakes and coastal regions if the U.S. adopts the U.N. Treaty,” said Pfeiffer.

The report makes it clear that future authority for implementing the policy for coastal and inland waters will fall under White House jurisdiction with a new National Ocean Council comprised of over 20 federal agencies at Cabinet Secretary or Deputy Secretary level. No reference to Congressional jurisdiction is indicated.

“This significant change in U.S. policy direction is the result of a 90-day fire drill process as ordered by the President that, not surprisingly, lacks balance, clarity and quality in the end product,” said Morlock. “People who simply want to take their kids fishing on public waters deserve better from their government,” he added.

Shimano is joining with other members of the recreational fishing industry to urge anglers to contact their members of Congress and the administration to request this process be required to adopt the economic, conservation and social contributions of recreational fishing as key elements of the policy. It is critical that we ensure Congressional oversight and state jurisdiction and management continues.

E-letters can be sent to the administration and members of Congress by visiting KeepAmericaFishing.org. The future of fishing is in your hands.

###Editor’s Note: Phil Morlock is attending Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus functions this week in Washington, DC, but will make himself available for questions, interviews on this. Contact John Mazurkiewicz with Catalyst Marketing for arrangements.

The Ultimate Fishing Backpack

2009-10-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

While hiking at the Port A Jetty last weekend to see what kind of catches anglers were receiving, I noticed a Fishing Backpack rig I had not seen before. Anyone that has walked the Port A Jetty knows that its not a walkway... your navigating through large cut boulders of granite stacked on top of each other.

Imagine what an angler goes through to get there gear out to the end of the Jetty? You have to carry your pole(s), tackle, bait, cast net, and yes something to snack on and beverage of choice. Then if you have a successful day fishing... you have to carry your fish out!

I met Brian Ervin with his own homemade fishing backpack he had created. Obviously he had already experienced the hardship I just described above. As they say "necessity is the mother of invention", and this is a great invention.

I'm reminded of a vacation my wife and I took earlier in the year to Costa Rica. My wife had the idea that we should pack our clothes in backpacks instead of the usual suit cases on wheels. As it turned out... this was a great idea. It was so much easier carrying our backpacks around then trying to pull our suit cases on unforgiving terrain while we transferred from cab to boat to jeep to bus to king air during our trip.

Anyway, these fishing backpacks Brian and his buddy created solves a lot of problems. He's easily able to carry multiple fishing pulls, all his gear, cooler for drinks and snacks. If he has a good day fishing, he has a C clamp where he hangs his catches to carry them out.

Very clever Brian! This is truly the Ultimate Fishing Backpack.

The Bull Redfish were running last weekend on the Port Aransas South Jetty. Be sure to send us your Fishing Tales! http://tales.justgofishin.com

Gary Turner Great Flathead Catfish Catch

2009-10-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

Statham GA, Gary Turner caught this Flatehead Catfish with live bream while fishing 25 feet of fresh water. Fishing on a partly cloudy late afternoon he had a great time pulling in this 38 lb monster of a fish. Thanks for sharing... http://tales.justgofishin.com

Raymond Woodson Great Redfish Catch

2009-10-14T04:53:00.000-07:00

Raymond Woodson was fishing with his buddies last night at the Packery Channel South Jetty and about 9:30pm caught this 23 lbs, 41 inch Bull Redfish. Caught this monster using dead mullet. The Packery Channel Jetty are still producing oversized redfish.

This photo was emailed this photo from his cell phone last night to share on our blog. If you have a Texas Coastal Bend Great Catch send us the photo to tales@justgofishin.com or submit your photo at: http://tales.justgofishin.com.

Fishing with the Jetty Bandits

2009-10-10T16:44:00.000-07:00

Large Limes from Brownsville, Guadalupe Castillo

These wrangling anglers called the Jetty Bandits from San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and other areas met together for a Port A Jetty Rodeo where they lassoed several Bull Redfish and Gaftops. Congratulations on a great weekend of fun for the Jetty Bandits.

Special thanks to Brandt Engineering for sponsoring the Jetty Bandits.

Felix Cavavos Great Bull Redfish Catch

2009-10-10T14:53:00.001-07:00

Felix Cavavos Caught this Monster Bad Boy Bull Redfish at the Port A Jetty while fishing with the San Antonio "Jetty Bandits". Using mullet and wrangling this Bull he measured out to 43 inches.

Richard Espinoza Great Bull Refish Catch

2009-10-10T14:43:00.001-07:00

Check out this Bull Redfish measuring in at 38 inches caught at the Port A Jetty today by Richard Espinoza of San Antonio. Fishing with there club, "Jetty Bandits" he caught these on cut mullet. http://tales.justgofishin.com