DaParson's Fishing Adventures

From time to time Texas Park & Wildlife collects brood stock out of "The Pond." I have been fortunate to be part of this effort 3 or 4 times. It truly is an honor. They collect Reds, Trout, Flounder at different times of the year, ship them to supplement their brood stock so that our bay system can be filled with game fish. They do an incredible job. During either Rita or Katrina last year, they lost a good portion of their brood stock. I had the privilege of helping to replenish part of that stock today. It was a great day for the Specks that were collected. We caught many many Reds and Specks - well they caught specks - I caught Reds. This was the average size - and this fish was just beautiful.

Here is Lynn B. with what he calls a "Bay Carp." (grin) Lynn is a retired Parks and Wildlife Marine Biologists and allows me to tag along when TP&W collects brood stock. This was one of the many reds that were caught on the day.

This was one of the little rat reds we caught - the reason we took his pic was because of his spot pattern. Years ago, the Parks and Wildlife thought that if the bred reds with multiple spots that all the reds that were produced at the hatchery would have multiple spots and they could keep tract of their progress better. They discovered that it didn't work that way - but from time to time you still hear fisherman refer to a multi-spotted red as a Brood Stock Red. It is a real priviledge to help our Texas Parks and Wildlife collect brood stock. It brings me great joy to do so. I would like to again that Bill Baker and Lance R. for allowing Lynn B. to bring me along to help.

Dewey, Wayne and I headed out to the Jetties this morning. We started at the South Jetties wanting to try a couple of new spots - but could not because of the prevailing SE Winds at about 15-20. We headed over the leeward side of the North Jetty to fish awhile - the water was greenish - but sandy with limited visibility. There was little to no tidal movement and honestly, wasn't many fish to be had. We fished cut shad and cut whiting with not much success. On the day we caught 2 Jacks, 1 Black Drum, 1 Whiting and of course Dewey chimed in with his 5 Hardheads - one of unusual size!

Wayne loves to fish for trout. He tossed his trout rig out toward the rocks and was surprised when this little Jack took him for quite a ride. Although small, this Jack provided quite a fight on lighter tackle. UPDATE: I have since learned this was a Pompano! Still learning about different fish at the Jetties! Thanks for those from 2cool who commented!

This was the last - and best - fish of the day. Wayne was fishing a slip-cork with live shrimp in hopes of some trout. Immediately after casting, his line took off. After realizing that he was about to be spooled - we picked up anchor and followed this fish around. Wayne was seeing the spool before we could catch up with the fish. After a good fight of about 20 minutes - Wayne hauled this nice Jack aboard. Wayne said this was the largest Jack he had ever caught! It was good to put him on the fish. Dewey told him he thought it was the little Jack's daddy - and it was coming to take him out! The Jack was released to fight another day.

We had a great time on the water. Captain Cody took us about 43 miles offshore for some king, ling and snapper. Captain Cody worked hard to put us on the fish. He did a great job! Here is one of the Kings we caught on the day. Here is a video of the day.

Here is one of the Spanish Macs I caught. The ones we catch at the Jetty usually aren't of this size.

Dewey III caught this nice King on one of the Trolls we took at the end of the day.

Here is a undersized Ling that Dewey III caught.

Here is a nice Bonnet Head sharkc that Dewey III caught.

Here is a nice Spanish Mac that Dewey III caught.

Dewey III wanted to get this pick of a Spade Fish so his daughter would see it. There were tons of tehm around at each rig.

I caught this nice Bonita and for the life of me I can't figure why Captain Cody had his picture taken with it! (laughing)

Dewey Jr. caught the most snapper. He finally got into the King action when he reeled in this nice King on a troll.

Dewey Sr. caught several snapper, shark and fish throughout the day. However, this was the only fish I got his picture with. It was a great day to have 3 generations of Deweys out fishing!

Here is all of the fish plus a 200 lb Bull Redd looking on!

Here is a picture of the final tally. Captain Cody did a good job! We had a great day!

Here is the lastest Video. "Shark Attack" - Video of a Black Trip Shark Being Caught.

After an extended absence from the water, Dewey and I headed out to the North Jetty this morning. With all of the rain and thunderstorms over the past few days, Friday seemed like it would be the first day in a long while without any rain. During the late evening, or early morning a small front must have blown through, the flags in LaPorte were still, but the flags at Boyd’s reflected a NNE Wind at about 10-15 mph. This little front must have raised the barometric pressure and clamped the fish jaws closed. The water was sandy green at the end of the Jetty with visibility to about 2 – 3 foot. With the wind shifting more to the ENE, there was not much protected water. We put out cut shad, cut mullet and some live shrimp out and quickly had a nice run. A nice 4 ½ foot Black Tip Shark jumped our balloon line and the fight was on. After a few minutes, he was at the boat and I handed the rod to Dewey so I could leader the fish. I still don’t know what happened – but I sw...