Colorado River Guide Blog

Structure, in relation to a lake, is any bottom contour change. Cover is any object that is in the lake, natural or man made. On any given lake, fish relate to the available structure, just as humans and animals relate to contour changes on the earth. We all adapt to our environment around us , whether it is located on a hilltop, desert plain, or down in a valley. And, on that structure, we live in a home, just as fish make their home in the available cover that encompasses them.

For a better understanding about structure and cover, consider the following scenario as applied to their daily movements within their environment. You, the angler, live in a house on top of a hill, drive the same road to work each day, and basically have a routine for everything you do each da y. On arrival, you enter your office, go to your desk and sit in your chair. At break, you follow a hall to the break room, return to your desk via the same path. Lunch time finds you hungry, so you seek out a place that can serve you the most food for your money. You return to your office, follow a daily routine of work. Your work day completed, you return home along the same road that you always travel. Once home, you will usually ensue the same daily patterns, and then finally retire to bed, where you are at rest for awhile. Upon awakening, your hungry again, and begin to se arch the refrigerator for a quick and easy meal, before starting your same workday travels all over again. This short description of a human relating to patterns, habits, contour changes, cover, food, and survival can be applied to any specie living within his given surroundings.

A bass will establish a home, travel a given path in their daily living cycles, and will return to the same spawning areas each year by travelling contact points. Put simply, they follow structure to get where they are going, and use cover to live in, ambush prey from, and as an added dimension in following structure parallel.

The above human example exemplifies that all living creatures live a structure/cover oriented life. We have a place we live, have roads we follow, generally eat at scheduled times, rest and sleep, and evolve into seasonal changes, acclimating our bodies to temperature changes and weather elemen ts on a daily basis. The only thing that would prevail our changing or moving would be a threat to our existence. Humans relocate because of job transfers, degeneration of their communities, and food availability. A young bass will establish his living quarters and live his entire existence t here, if he is accommodated with good oxygen and ph, available forage, and safety from predators. Other animals are no different in their habits, travels, feeding and rest. They rest around the same trees, follow the same path to food and water, and their big meal is early morning and late eve ning. Bass are the same in their feeding habits, with two major feeds and two minor meals a day. They have three stages that their brain goes through each day, which is active, inactive, and rest. Per John Hope, noted bass tracker and author of “Tracking Trophy Bass”, when bass are resting, t hey are impossible to catch.” That state is just like our sleep state. However, when they become active, they go on a major feed, much like when we wake up, we want breakfast pretty quick, because we are our most hungry at that time.

Structure affords the bass a trail to follow during his active state, and cover provides him housing and ambush protection. If you encountered a robber in your home, the best place for you would be behind some cover in the darkest area. The robber could not see you, however, if you had a hall light on , you could see him. Dark cover gives a bass his best advantage to ambush his prey. For years, a common myth has been that bass have an aversion to sunlight, which is simply not true! Bass can and do adjust their eyes to varying conditions of light quite well. Because the forage has difficulty seeing the bass which are hidden in darker cover, the bass can use his superior vision for an easy meal.

As you can see, structure and cover are extremely important in the day to day rituals of all species, whether animal or human. It provides us with an obstacle course
to follow, and gives us direction to find our way in the jungle of cover that abounds. So, the next time you go to the lake to f ish, take time to study your topo map before you go. Locate the areas with good structure, and make a few calls to find out the available cover. It just might increase your chance for the lunker of your dreams.

Sherry Ruslink is a professional angler and licensed guide on Lake Fork. She runs a full service Bass Fishing Guide Business, which includes 2 full time licensed guides. Sherry’s guide service offers individual, corporate/ group, instructional, and tournament prefish trips. Day trips, night trips, and ½ day bass fishing trips, as well as in the winter months, Crappie trips. Sherry can be reached at 903-473-1016, 1-877-523-9227 (ladybas), email: ladybass@koyote.com , URL: http://www.texs.com/ladybass/fork.htm
Sponsor’s include – Triton Boats/Mariner Motors, Four Seasons Marine – Longview, TX, Castaway Rods – Factory Team, Lowrance, Motorguide, Lockhart Lures, Gene Larew Lures, McCoy’s Mean Green Fishing Line, and Top Brass Tackle. – Lake Mohave

You know you have a problem when every fishing tournament since July of 98 has had a significant reduction in catch.

You know you have a problem when all the old tournament hands stand around the way-in, scratchin’ their heads and saying things like “where have all the fish gone?”

You know you have a problem when all the grass begins to die.

You know you have a problem when fish begin to die and float to the surface in thousands. Think of the hundreds of thousands you never see that die and don’t float up.

You know you have a problem when many of the fish you catch are weak and put up no fight.

You know you have a problem when many of the fish you catch are covered with sores.

This isn’t rocket science folks….good ole common sense comes into play here somewhere.

The official word from Austin was that the fish were stressed from being caught and released. Their conclusions were based on analysis from scientists at Texas A & M. That ought to be your first clue. The same scientists that told us 20 years ago that the White Amur they released in Conroe would only live ten years. In case you’ve been in outer space the last few years let me tell you the 20 year old carp are alive and well on Conroe!!! They’re so old and feeble in their old age that they knock holes in the chain link fence we put up to protect the new aquatic vegetation we’re planting on the lake. Wouldn’t surprise me to hear these mutants were dragging golfers off the greens at the water edge.

Anyhow back to these genius A&M scientists that told us the Rayburn bass were dying from angler stress….yea right…was the common reply when anglers heard it.

Everybody but the beaurocrats and bio-crats new we had a problem on Big Sam and some cared enough to start checking into it.

Some anglers thought it was the “Black Helicopters.” Some thought it was disease. Some probably thought it was a Communistic plot.

The real geniuses live in Zavalla, Texas. A tournament angler got to looking around. He looked at the water and found it looked funny, in parts of the lake even smelled funny.

He looked in the public record and found that the Texas natural Resource Commission had reported pollution problems going back years where fecal coliform and Ammonia were at unacceptable levels.
For any of you that might be reading this to the bio-crats at A&M fecal coliform is SEWAGE.

Ammonia is not good because it robs the water of oxygen.

The T.N.R.C. report also noted reduced levels of oxygen in the lake. The bio-crats must have slept through the class that explained that bass and grass need oxygen to survive. Maybe that has something to do with the dead fish and lack of aquatic weeds…..duhhh!!!

The genius from Zavalla called T.B.B.U. president Ed Parten and told Ed he had found something else and wanted Ed to meet him in Lufkin.

Ed invited me along and told me to bring my camera. We met the genius at Vernon’s Tackle Shop in Lufkin and drove a short distance outside of town. We drove down this winding two lane blacktop road with the trees overhanging the road in place making it seem like we were driving in a tunnel.

The genius parked a 100 feet or so from a small wooden bridge. Where are we I asked. The genius replied, Paper Mill Creek.

I got this real eerie feeling as we walked toward the bridge. You could smell the stench from the creek as soon as we got out of the car. When I looked over the edge of the bridge at the creek the hair on the back of my neck stood up. It was scary. The water reeked of toxicity. It was almost black with what looked like a toxic goo. It was about 30 or 40 feet across and maybe a couple feet deep and flowing real hard. There were garbage bags in it, a junk refrigerator and all sorts of other debris. I got the sense that if I fell into it the flesh would be eaten from my bones before I could get out of it. The photo on the cover just doesn’t come close to giving you the picture. You have to go see it for yourself.

Well I’m certainly no rocket scientist but I know angler stress when I see it and thousands of gallons of it was flowing into Big Sam as we stood on that bridge that afternoon.

Net time a chunk of Crappie slide of a fork into your mouth think about Paper Mill Creek and who knows how many other toxic creeks in East Texas.

Most lakes in East Texas were listed on the T.N.R.C. reports as containing contaminants. And they’ll continue to be polluted unless you get out there and do something about it, like the genius from Zavalla did.

We’ll continue to publish more information about the condition of Big Sam in our next issues.
– Lake Mohave

As this young Texas Fishing Guide boated solid Rayburn chunks all day on the first day of competition of the 1996 BASSMASTER Texas Invitational he had no idea what a challenge he would face later that day.

Cannan had located some strong fish on the north end of “Big Sam” in practice. When he got to his fish on the first day of competition they were aggressive and shallow. He was fishing a spinnerbait in shallow water and the fish were crashing it. He and his partner caught over 40 for the day.

As the day went on the wind began to get up due to a strong front approaching from the northwest. An hour before he needed to be at weigh-in, twenty miles down the lake, the wind was howling and gusting to 30 mph.

When he left the protected water of the creek, where he’d been fishing all day, he realized what a challenge was ahead getting to weigh-in. The waves were 8 feet high and breaking like surf.

Bill will recount every heart stopping detail for you in his column, but I’ll summarize here by telling you he ended up having to abandon his boat when the motor failed. I’ve heard the story, and believe me you’ll want to read it in his own words.

He went on to finish only .3 pounds behind veteran Lonnie Stanley. Bill’s total for the event was 50 pounds 9 ounces, which netted him a brand new, fully rigged Ranger 481 and $2,000.00 in cash.

Cannan, who has been a staff writer for the Texas SportsGuide since his professional career started, is a very successful fishing guide in East Texas as well as being a good outdoor writer. He is sponsored by one of the SportsGuide’s long-time advertisers, Family Boating Center. Houston’s only Nitro and Tracker dealer.

This win is, no doubt, just one step in a long and successful journey in this young Texas pro’s career. We will be reading about him as often as we read his interesting stories in the years ahead.

Bill writes our Lake Livingston fishing report and knows the lake well. If you would like to contact him you can find his number at the end of his fishing report or on his guide ad on that page – Lake Mohave

Popularity explosion is the best way to describe the phenomenal growth at CastAway. Since their inception 2 years ago their product line has grown from 30 models to over 170. They are now internationally distributed and are probably the hottest rod on the market today.

Their popularity is mainly attributable to the quality of construction of their rods. CastAway prides itself in their painstaking attention to construction and cosmetic detail. They started with 30 models using G-Loomis Premier and IM6 material. In their second year they added a new material T-700 Graduated Modulus Graphite. In fact they were chosen by the manufacturer of the T-700 material to have the exclusive use of this material because of CastAway’s reputation as quality rod manufacturers.

CastAway is the brainchild of Montgomery, Texas resident, Billy Kistler. Applying his ten years experience in the rod building business Kistler started CastAway two years ago. He is a “Hands On” type who pays great attention to what the fishing public wants by spending time in the field talking to fishermen. He is a pretty good tournament fisherman too and proved it last year by finishing 5th overall in the Angler’s Choice East Texas Team Tournament Circuit. Kistler claims that spending time in the field, talking to tournament fishermen, gives him the knowledge he needs to build rods exactly like the fishing public wants.

CastAway is proud of the fact that they have never received a critical product review. In the November 91 issue of Tackle Test, a Consumer Reports type of non bios product evaluation service, they say, “We liked the looks and feel of CastAway rods. And their prices allow serious and weekend anglers alike to afford quality and looks. Consider CastAway before buying any other high end rods.” Again in May 92 Tackle Test goes even further in their endorsement of CastAway rods, “We shy away from blanket endorsements of any manufacturers goods, but CastAway has done as good a job on it’s rods as we’ve seen. We have been consistently impressed with the actions, finish and components on CastAway products.”

In 93 CastAway plans to introduce a whole new line of moderately priced rods with the same CastAway quality and look.

In January 93 they are scheduled to move into their new 5000 square foot facility in Montgomery which has been designed to handle their current production requirements and allow for future expansion. According to Billy Kistler having their own facility, specifically designed for rod building, will afford CastAway an increase in efficiency in the production process resulting in an even higher quality product.

To see their product line look for them in booth 540 and 541 at the Houston Boat Show January 2-10 at the Astro Hall and Astro Arena. They will have some great freebies like hats with their jazzy CastAway logo.

For more information contact them at 409-582-1677.
– Lake Mohave

Most youngsters from the Rusk Settlement Neighborhood Center on Houston’s inner city East side have never been fishing, That changed May 22 when Bass Busters of Houston took them fishing at the Freshwater Junior Anglers Club in Baytown, Texas.

“These kids don’t have the opportunity to get involved in outdoor activities like fishing. For some of them, the only recreation they’ve got is hanging out and getting in trouble. We thought it was a great chance to show them something else, Bass Busters has always been a big supporter of getting kids hooked on fishing, so our members jumped at the chance to do this, It’s our way of giving something back to the sport,” said Ed Parten, Bass Busters President.

Bob Jones, founder of the Freshwater Junior Anglers Club, has the same philosophy, so he readily offered FJAC’s private 50 acre lake for the day and waived the $5,00 annual membership fee for the Rusk youngsters. FJAC is a fishing club for Houston A Baytown area youth and their parents that schedules regular tournaments and educational activity for its members- If the child does not have fishing equipment Jones was able, until recently, to provide it for the day. He lost all the equipment in several recent robberies and is working to replace it.

About 50 Rusk youngsters among 6 and 16 bank fished for bass, bream and catfish. Bass Busters provided one on one fishing instruction. Each child received a rod and reel to take home, thanks to Zebco. The children also received ribbons and other prizes. US Customs Service was there with one of its drug sniffing dogs, and the Coast Guard provided instruction on water safety, And the young fisherman will be taaught about conservation.

Rusk Settlement, one of 28 Houston area community centers operated by Neighborhood Centers, Inc.,, a United Way Agency, provides diverse services to youth, families and the elderly on the city’s predominately Hispanic East side, The youth programs, aimed at high risk youngsters, provide educational and employment counseling, a place to go on weekends and after school and teach leadership and self esteem.

“We’ve had tremendous support in getting this organized,” said Pam Ashley, Bass Busters’ chairman for the event, “The members have talked to all their contact and their employers and no one turned us down. Pepsi is donated all the drinks, Eckrich gave us 250 hot dogs and we fed these kids, The list just goes on and on. And the club gave up our regular tournament weekend to do this. Nobody’s seen a kid yet who didn’t grin when they caught their first fish. So we think it’s worth it.

Bass Busters, chartered in 1969, is one of the oldest clubs in the Houston area. Many of it’s 50 members are active in TBBU.

“We’ve sort of adopted these kids,” said Parten, “Next year we plan to put on a fund raising tournament for Rusk. Their goals are really the same as Bass Busters and TBBU’S, We all want to give kids every chance possible to grow up drug and crime free and become productive adults, And we think fishing can help do that.”

( Publisher’s Note : Here is an organization worthy of your help. Please call Bob Jones at 713-474-7710 and ask how you can help.)
– Lake Mohave

This fun loving Toledo Bend Guide has earned a well deserved reputation as one of Toledo Bend’s best guides and a first rate tournament fisherman. Mike lives on the shores of Toledo Bend with his wife Janice and daughter Amanda in a beautifully rustic Cypress home that he built with his own hands. Behind their home is a guest house with a loft where Mike has a tackle workbench equipped with every type of spinnerbait blade and skirt imaginable. Mike builds all of his own spinnerbaits and jigs from components sent him by one of his sponsors, Bull Dog Lures. On those days when he’s not on the lake guiding or competing in tournaments he sets at his workbench building lures or just looking out over the lake planning his next guide trip or tournament strategy.

Mike is a south Louisiana native. He and his family moved to Aimwell, Louisiana 10 years ago, after building their new home, and started guiding full time. Since that time he has joined forces with tournament pros, John Dean, Jack Haines, and about 10 other local guides to form Toledo Bend Guide Service.(318-645-4415)

I met Mike four years ago at the Houston Boat Show where he was working a booth for his guide business. Since then I have come to know him through fishing Anglers Choice tournaments. He is well known by other tournament fishermen as a very good fisherman and a formidable competitor. He especially likes to look for big fish. Just a limit of keepers doesn’t interest him. A couple years ago Mike teamed up with one of his sponsors, Bill Kistler, of CastAway Rods to fish Anglers Choice Team Tournaments with great success. Last year they finished in the money many times and ended up qualifying for the Classic and finishing 8th overall for the season.

Last year while fishing a Honey Hole Team tournament on Sam Rayburn I had the pleasure of witnessing the largest 5 fish stringer I’d ever seen. Mike Cortelloni and Harold Stalcup brought 35 pounds to the scales to win the tournament. Think about it. As I recall they had a 10, a couple 8’s and that’s still only twenty six pounds. It takes me a year to get that many big fish. So you can see it is not only on his home lake of Toledo Bend that Mike does well.
Mike is sponsored by Bass Cat Boats, Mercury, Motorguide, CastAway Rods, Fred Arbogast Lures, Dri-Rind, Bull Dog Lures, Bill Lewis Lures, Triple Fish Line and Riverside Lures.

For some great fishing on one of the State’s best bass lakes call Toledo Bend Guide Service and ask for Mike Cortelloni. (318-645-4415) – Lake Mohave

Get involved!!! A “New Year’s Resolution” I wish you would all make!!!

A few years ago I made up my mind that it was time for me to give back to a sport I had gotten so much from over the years. Years of enjoyment of the outdoors, Years of catching fish, Years of exploring new lakes, that kind of enjoyment.

I decided the way I could put something back for future generations of anglers was to get involved with Texas Black Bass Unlimited. Since that decision, I have participated in a number of projects that have the potential of returning huge rewards in improving our environment, fishing and boating safety. Projects like “Marking the River Channel on Lake Livingston” and the “Aquatic Habitat Restoration Projects on Lakes Livingston, Conroe and Lewisville” hold the greatest potential for rewards.

Along with a dozen other dedicated T.B.B.U. members I helped raise the funds for and supervised the marking of the river channel on Lake Livingston in 1993. From the Highway 190 bridge to the Highway 19 bridge the Trinity River, which feeds Lake Livingston, winds through miles of flooded timber. The run up the river, to great fishing areas on the north end of Livingston, was treacherous for years and claimed many lower units and boat hulls. For well over 15 years running the river north of 19 bridge was dangerous, at best.

After the “Channel Marking Project” the river channel was clearly marked and much safer to run.

A reasonable person would have expected that the Trinity River Authority or the Livingston Chamber of Commerce or the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department or the U.S. Coast Guard would have initiated this project. Texas Black Bass Unlimited initiated and organized this project and should be very proud of it. Leaders in the fishing industry funded the project with contributions of Bass Boats, Outboard Motors and Fishing Tackle. Leaders like Mercury Outboards, Skeeter Boats, Ranger Boats, Astro/ProCraft Boats, Bass Cat Boats, Bliss Murski/Strike King Tackle all contributed the funding for this project. There is no way to measure how many lives might have been saved by this project and I’m VERY proud to have been a part of it.

The project I am most proud to have been a part of is the “Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project for Lakes Conroe and Livingston.” Eighteen years ago Lake Conroe was full of Hydrilla, full of Bass and Crappie and the water was so clear you could see fish making beds on the bottom in 8 feet of water in Peach Creek. In those days I lived in Houston and would frequently drive up in the afternoon after getting off work and fish for a few hours before dark. It was nothing for the average occasional angler to catch a limit of 10 nice bass in an evening. A good angler would catch several limits of quality bass. Crappie were stacked on almost every tree. If you drove across the bridge to Loch Ness Marina after dark in the summer or spring you would always see lanterns hanging from several trees in the cover and Crappie fishermen catching Crappie by the ice chest full.

Lake Conroe was such a great fishing lake that moved to a waterfront home there. When the grass was still in the lake, my kids could set on the shore and watch schools of small fish swim up and down the shallow clear water inside the weedline.

Then came the tragedy that fishermen all over the United States would talk about for years to come. A few greedy property developers wielded their political influence with the State and had the Hydrilla killed and introduced enough White Amur Grass Carp to keep the lake de-vegetated to this day. Now the water is so muddy and dirty you cant see six inches down, on a clear day. There are no fish swimming up and down the bank behind me house and the average angler couldn’t catch a limit of Bass or Crappie in a week, much less an afternoon. An environmental tragedy beyond my ability to describe.

You can easily see why I was so excited to be a part of restoring Lake Conroe to what it had been when T.B.B.U. started the “Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project” on Houston area lakes. We raised, with the help of those same generous fishing industry leaders that had helped us with the “Lake Livingston Channel Marking Project,” over $80,000.00 and began construction of “Nursery Plots” for Native Aquatic Vegetation on Lake Conroe. T.B.B.U. members teamed with Texas Parks & Wildlife employees to wade muddy
coves and hand planted Native Vegetation in Nursery Plots” around the lake. After a few months the results of all that hard work became dramatically evident. When you visited the coves, closed with a chain link fence there was clear water, teaming with small fish and other aquatic life, behind the fences. Outside the fences the water remained muddy and any vegetation trying to grow beyond the fences was sheared off by Carp, like hedge shears had been used on it.

Most important, about this project, was that it was the seed for Texas Parks & Wildlife Department starting a statewide re-vegetation program to restore aquatic habitat in other lakes around the state.

When it’s my turn to go the “Big Pond,” aside from my wonderful family, I’ll be most proud of this accomplishment!!!

I hope you’ll join us in our next project.
– Lake Mohave

The schools of Texas have a new weapon to fight drugs. This weapon is stronger than any swords or guns-gangs or drug dealers. It’s fishing.

Schools, parents, Texas Parks and Wildlife, law enforcement personnel, community leaders, celebrities, T.B.B.U. and other fishing organizations have combined forces to create their own positive solution to the drug problem.

Get Hooked On Fishing-Not Drugs, is a national program of the Future Fisherman Foundation. Active in a mother state for years, this award winning program has now found its way to Texas. This is thanks to the hard work of concerned individuals and fishermen dedicated to fostering the well being of our youth.

“The program has two major parts,” says Holt Taylor, Chairman of the Texas Volunteer Coordinating Committee. “The in-school portion of the program is a year-round curriculum which uses fishing, staying in school and staying off drugs as a theme for all subjects. The fishing theme holds the kids interest and helps them learn. The curriculum is devoted to grades kindergarten through twelfth grade and qualifies for federal drug-free school funds. The program does not cost the schools anything.”

The non-school part of the program is a creation of a chapter that is assigned to each school. “Each chapter is made up of parents, teachers, local business leaders, law enforcement personnel, fishing club members, civic organizations and other interested individuals” he explains. “The chapter operates like a club and organizes the meetings, clinics and fishing that takes place at least once a month.”

In addition to the ongoing support from T.B.B.U. and its members, Get Hooked On Fishing-Not Drugs has also been adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Federation of B.A.S.S., the Texas Association of Bass Clubs and the San Antonio League of Bass Clubs. Other supporters include John Hope and Fishing Texas, Judy Wong of the Bassin’ Gals, Fredonia Graphics of Nacogdoches, Shirley Creek Marina on Lake Sam Rayburn and Abu Garcia.

Why does it work?
This program is not lecture oriented. It is a free-form program that maintains the students’
involvement through fishing and exposing them to positive adult role models.

Fishing unites families by taking parents and children away from stressful distractions and giving them a new forum for communication. The quiet time creates the perfect environment for kids and adults to listen and talk.

The program unites communities through involvement in fishing derbies, clinics, and other outdoor activities.

Activities that provide recognition and non-drug lie are effective in changing student drug use behavior.
Fishing helps students build self confidence and self-esteem. Students learn to appreciate others and the natural world around them, and fishing offers lifelong enjoyment that they can pass on to others.

It’s easier for the students to say no as a group. Because of the enjoyment of the program and the pledge that the students have to make to stay off of drugs and alcohol, they start encouraging and helping each other.

With fishing, all students are on the same plane. Anyone can fish. Sex, race, age and handicaps don’t interfere with a kid’s ability to fish and have fun.
“Most important;”, says Jerry Grote, the program’s Co-chairman, “this program is interactive. Kids need and deserve attention from all of us. Values are learned through positive interaction with all members of society. We can affect their development and their lives by being good role models, good listeners, and good cheerleaders.”

How can I get involved?
According to Taylor, the following are things that everyone can do to help.

*Call your school superintendent and encourage them to institute this program.
*Support organizations like T.B.B.U. that works with kids and work with other programs.
Like Get Hooked On Fishing-Not Drugs.
*Take kids fishing as often as you can.
*Contact Holt Taylor and Jerry Grote to offer your support in your area to become a program sponsor.

You can write to Holt Taylor in care of:
Taylor Communications Group, Inc.
7551 Callaghan Rd.,Suite 275
San Antonio, TX 78229
Or call (210) 340-4100 – Lake Mohave

Team bass fishing tournaments are a dime a dozen these days but a “new Kid On The Block” is really worth a closer look.

Pro Team Trail was organized this year by some Ft. Worth area anglers that will be recognized by most of you readers of my regular tournament column.

K. D. Moore, Jerry Nichols and John Nichols have fished the Angler’s Choice circuits for a number of years and take home their share of checks. They are all very well liked and have top notch reputations as competitive tournament anglers. Anyone in bass fishing tournaments in Texas for a few years will have nothing but good things to say about these guys.

Last year they got their heads together and came up with a plan that will allow team tournament contestants in Texas to make some real money. Their plan is simple, a one day tournament with no practice days. The idea being to hold down expenses. With most team tournaments you have to figure a least one night and probably two stays in a motel. With meals figured in the average cost per team, with entry fee, is around $450.00, including fuel. Even if you place in the top ten in many team events you won’t even make back all of your expenses for the weekend.

Pro Team’s concept is that you drive to the tournament lake the morning of the event, enjoy a good tournament and even with the $500.00 entry fee you have 20 chances of breaking even on money and if you’re lucky and stick a big fish you could be taking home a fully rigged Ranger. You haven’t spent any more money than you would have fishing any other team event. You don’t have to take any extra days off work and you get to spend more time with your family, an important concern of the Pro Team organizers.
Winners of the first three events, in each division, take home a fully rigged Ranger boat, motor and trailer equipped with Lowrance Electronics. The winners of the last two qualifying events, in each division, will get a check for $15,000.00.

The rest of the field doesn’t go home empty handed either. With a field of 125 you will have a chance to win back your entry fee at 20th place. Second place, based on 125 teams, is $5,000.00, third is $3,500.00, fourth is $2,500.00, fifth is $2,000.00 and tenth is $1,200.00. A full field of 200 teams almost doubles the payback.

Traditionally tournaments held in Texas that have a fully rigged boat for first place draw a full field. Pro Team will very likely follow that trend. 200 teams will be the cut off for this trail.

This trail will allow team tournament anglers to take home the kind of money the national touring pro’s make.

There will be two divisions the first year, a North Texas and South Texas Division. There will be 5 qualifying events in each division with the top 40 in each division and 10 “Wild Card” teams from each division going to the Classic. There will be no entry fee for the Classic and first place will be a fully rigged 400 series Ranger Boat.

The North Division schedule is March 23rd – Palestine, April 27th – Cedar Creek, May 18th – Texoma, June 29th – Richland Chambers and September 14th – Lewisville.

The South Division schedule is March 9th – Rayburn, April 13th – Toledo Bend, May 11th – Livingston, June 8th – Richland Chambers and September 7th – Rayburn.

In addition to Ranger Boats Pro Team is also sponsored by Mercury, Ranger Trail, MotorGuide, Lowrance Electronics, Boat Buddy, CastAway Rods, Bumper Stumper and CAF Props.

For more information or to join the trail call John Nichols at 817-285-0405.
– Lake Mohave

This soft spoken, good natured, Lake Conroe guide has earned quite a reputation for consistently catching large bass. In fact he is almost solely responsible for the recent trend on the lake to disallow guides from competing in local fishing tournaments. Over the past eight years of participating in and writing about tournaments on Lake Conroe I have learned that, of the local guides, Skip Regan consistently weighs in more big bass.

Several years ago I was fortunate enough to learn, first hand, through fishing a series of tournaments on the lake with Skip that he has a gift for catching big bass. As though through some special sense, he manages to throw to just the right tree or bush where that special fish will be. Even when fishing an area of the lake that he was unfamiliar with he still managed to pick the right spot to throw his bait to find that big one. He is primarily a worm or jig fisherman but is versatile enough to adapt to fishing conditions and will use whatever type of lure necessary to catch fish.

For six years Skip fished several tournament circuits including, Anglers Choice, Western Bass, US Bass and Lone Star Bass. In 1986 he finished well enough in US Bass to qualify for their Classic. He is sponsored by Loch Ness Marina, Stanley Jigs and Mud Bug.

Skip started guiding on Lake Conroe about 8 years ago at Loch Ness Marina, on the north end of the lake. Since that time he has developed a very good reputation with his regular clients as well as other local fishermen. As well as being able to put you on fish he has a good sense of humor and is a pleasant person to spend the day with.

Skip has taught his son Mike some of his tricks for catching big bass. Mike fished a series of tournaments on the lake this summer and caught quite a few big fish himself. He and his partner, Hank White, finished 7th out of several hundred competitors to qualify for the Classic and then won the Classic by 5 pounds.

Earlier this summer Skip injured his arm in a boating accident. I am happy to report that he is recovering well and will probably regain most of the use of his arm. I hope to see him on the lake again soon. September, October and November often provide the finest fishing of the year on Lake Conroe and this would be a good time to book a trip to get in on this exciting action. Check with Loch Ness Marina (409-856-4524) to find out when Skip will be back to guiding on Lake Conroe or just to wish him a speedy recovery. – Lake Mohave

SYRACUSE, IN–When Lossie Rinker gave up dairy farming in 1945 to build fishing boats, it was unlikely that he envisioned his efforts growing into one of the largest independently-owned boat companies in the world.

From their shop along the banks of the White River in Noblesville, Indiana, Rinker and his sons, John and Jan soon expanded the business from rowboats to runabouts. Building their boats from molded birch hulls they imported from Nova Scotia, they soon earned a reputation for their performance racing craft, the design of which continues to impact every boat the company builds today.

Following their service in the Korean War, John and Jan moved the family business to Syracuse, Indiana, near the shores of Lake Wawasee, the state largest natural body of water. Under the name Rinkerbuilt, it was there that they began their experimentation with fiberglass hulls in the mid 1950’s and, a short time later, became among the first companies to build fiberglass boats on a production basis.

It was also during this period that the Rinker dealer network was born. One of the company’s earliest dealers, Boats, Inc. of Dearborn Heights, Michigan took delivery on its first load of Rinker Boats in 1956. Today, Boats Inc. is Rinker’s Top Worldwide Dealer for 1994, an honor it has received for nine of the last 10 years.

During the 1960’s, Rinker began to explore new technologies such as the inboard/outdrive engine; and by the 1980’s, the Mercruiser stern drive would become a Rinker standard that endures today. In 1968, Rinker fulfilled its first international order with the shipment of four 14’ runabouts to Sweden.

Rinker’s production efforts during the 1970’s were dominated by 15’ and 17’ tri-hulls, a design popular throughtout the industry at that time. The company did continue to design, build and refine V-hulls throughout the 70’s, however, and, today, the 20 degree deep-vee signature hull is found on nearly every Rinker model.

By the 1980s, Rinker had dropped the “built” suffix from its brand name and again refined production technique and quality, bringing virtually all component assembly and manufacturing in-house. And in 1985, Rinker launched its first express cruiser, the 250, testing the waters for what would become among the three best-selling express cruisers in the world–the Fiesta Vee 265, 280, and 300.

Dedication to design innovation during the 1980’s would bring the integrated swim platform, which quickly became a popular feature on most Rinker models. And by the end of the decade, Rinker’s exports had grown to become an important part of their overall sales, helping to immunize the company from downturns in the domestic market. Today, Rinker boats are sold by a loyal network of quality dealers, both across the United States and around the world.

In it’s 50th year, Rinker currently builds 10 models ranging from the 331 Fiesta Vee 300 to the Rocket, a 141711 jet boat. The company’s highly successful “Captiva” series of runabouts includes 191, 211 and 231 models that set industry standards for performance, quality and value.
While many of the nation’s boat builders have lost their autonomy in acquisition sprees by marine conglomerates, the Rinker Boat Company has remained both fiercely independent and highly successful. The company’s golden anniversary is celebrated by the third generation of Rinker family members actively involved in managing the business, maintaining the traditions of popular styling and a commitment to the quality/value relationship that marked Rinker’s beginnings 50 years ago.

The Rinker Boat Company, Inc. is located at 300 W Chicago Street, Syracuse, Indiana 46567. – Lake Mohave

Rinker’s Boat World will have a real show piece in their booth this year! Rinker’s has brought in a 301 JC Tri Toon, that is set up to install two jet skis on the bow.

Approximately 2/3’s of the boat is set up like a 221 Tri-Pontoon with all the amenities, such as, sundeck, ice chest, stereo, ski tow, seating for 12, and much more. The front of the boat is arranged so that two jet skis can be placed on the front of the deck using a jib crane. The crane is powered by a 12 volt motor and is constructed of aluminum. The crane has a 550 lb capacity.
The 306 Tri Toon is powered by a 350 Magnum Mercruiser, producing 250 horsepower. With two jet skis on the bow the 306 will run over 35 MPH.

Skiing behind the 306 is absolutely no problem. The MerCruiser generates tremendous power, pulling several adult skiers, and the wake is very similar to that of a tournament ski boat.

Rinker’s Boat World has sold over 200 Tri Toons to area customers. They invite you to come look at the most versatile boats on the market. The JC Tri Toons can be seen in booth W 213 in the West Wing of the Astrohall! – Lake Mohave

Abuse of Power and insidious evil inherent in human nature, apparently. It takes many forms. You’ve all had run-ins with or heard tales of property owner’s organization member gone wild. Some ‘Joe Some” with too much time on his hands, gets elected to a subdivision restrictions board, looks up some obscure sections of the subdivision deed restrictions and harasses a “minding his own business” property owner about not filing for a permit from the deed restrictions committee before painting his mailbox.

Or another one we’ve all had experiences with is the dreaded “Speed Trap” Abuse of Power where some small town police force, under the guise of “public safety” rips off hundreds of “minding their own business” motorists for going 5 miles an hour over the speed limit. We’ve all thought that we wish we could tell the “out of control cop” that we’d rather he be apprehending some murderer, rapist, child molester or dope dealer rather than raising funds for the local JP.

For years I’ve been hearing stories about an “Abuse of Power” related to fishing, tournament fishing to be exact. Every time I’ve gone to Amistad, for the past few years I’ve heard some very strange stories. It seems the head park ranger at Lake Amistad has a dislike for tournament anglers.

I’ve been hearing tales of harassing tournament fishermen. The Diablo East boat ram has a law against riding in your boat as it is towed up the ramp, when taking it off the lake. This is the only boat ramp in the state with such a law. In fact, I’ve fished in allot of states and have never encountered such a law in any of them. In over 20 years of bass fishing I’ve never heard of anyone falling out of a boat while sitting in it as it’s towed up the ramp. In over 20 years of writing about fishing I’ve never talked with anyone who’s ever heard of anyone falling out of a boat while riding in it up a boat ramp. How could safety be an issue at Amistad? Sounds like a “personal problem” to me.

Another example of “Abuse of Power,” even more obvious, was during the shut-down of the federal government a few years ago over the budget crisis in Washington D.C. During the shut-down the park ranger at Amistad closed the boat ramps, an understandable move, but bad enough in itself. There also were numerous reports of his traveling around the lake barricading off other boat ramps, not run by the National Park Service, in effect trying to close the entire lake to access by anglers. An “Abuse of Power?” You tell me.

Here’s the “straw that got my goat.” No the guys really gone berserk!!!! He is enacting a law that requires tournament anglers to get a special permit to hold a fishing tournament. If a group of employees from Southwest Research want to have a company fishing tournament on Lake Amistad they have to get a special permit. Not only that but he wants to tell them where, on the lake they can and can’t fish, what time of year they can have tournaments and I can’t remember what else, the list is so long.

Here’s a guy with a personal grudge against tournament anglers that is using the power of his government office to create special restrictions on tournament fishing. If that’s not a classic case of “you know what by now” then I’ll eat my Skeeter cap on his “highly restricted boat ramp.”

Now I want to issue a challenge to you limp-wristed tournament types to take 10 minutes out of your busy schedule of untangling melted buzz bat skirts, to write a letter of protest to responsible government officials listed below. Your cards and letter will make a difference.

Director, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013.
Superintendent, William H. Sontag, HCR 3, Box 5J, Del Rio, TX 78840-9350. Email: AMIS_Superintendent@nps.gov

Kay Bailey Hutchinson
US Senator
283 Russell, Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510

Phil Gramm
US Senator
283 Russell, Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510 – Lake Mohave

As we reach the end of another year it’s time to reflect on our accomplishments and take a look at our goals for 1999.

Most of our members and sponsors are probably unaware of what a critical year 1998 was for Texas Black Bass Unlimited and our Black Bass magazine. One year ago this organization was deep in debt, over $90,000.00 to put a perspective on it.

As a result of some very hard work by our current board of directors I am proud to say that the organization is now out of debt and things are looking very positive for 1999.

The magazine has undergone some very big, and time-consuming changes during ’98. Most of these, although, transparent to most of our readers, were very significant indeed. We moved the layout of the magazine from Dallas, Texas to Nacogdoches, then to Willis, where it will stay for the foreseeable future. We also moved the layout from a Macintosh computer platform to PC, a very labor-intensive transition. The net result of all these changes was that our delivery of the publication on a timely basis suffered dramatically. With this issue, in fact, we remain one issue behind schedule. The January issue will be only one half issue behind and by March we will be back on schedule. Although these changes were costly in terms of magazine delivery they represent a dramatic improvement in the bottom line, long term, and to no small degree, account for the improvement in the organizations financial position.

As if we weren’t busy enough with all these changes many of our board members were busy helping to form a new organization you have been reading allot about in the past few isues, S.M.A.R.T.

In mid 1998 Texas bass fishermen, fed up with the impact habitat eradication was having on bass populations, united with clean water and clean air advocates to take a stand against this “War on Hydrilla.” Organizations like B.A.S.S. Federation, Texas, Black Bass Unlimited (TBBU), Texas Association of Bass Clubs (TABC), Honey Hole, Angler’s Choice, Bob Sealy Enterprises McDonald’s Big Bass, Pro Team Trails, Texas Oilman’s, F.I.S.H., B.A.I.T., H.A.W.K., Clean Water Action, The Chemical Connection, Lone Star Chapter of Sierra Club and many, many others put their heads together and formulated a plan. The plan is twofold, one of public education and to promote sound aquatic resource management, such as mechanical harvesters, rather than eradication. This coalition, now with over 300,000 combined members, has become well organized and formed a Non-Profit (501c) Corporation under the name of S.M.A.R.T. which stands for Sensible Management of Aquatic Resources Team.

One very important issue S.M.A.R.T. has been addressing with the Texas parks & Wildlife Department is the weed eradication issue on which S.M.A.R.T. has the following position:

Aquatic vegetation, as much a natural resource as our forests, is targeted for eradication. Bass fishermen say aquatic vegetation is habitat for game fish. Naturalists say aquatic vegetation is habitat to waterfowl. Biologists say that it is habitat for game fish and waterfowl. Environmental scientists say it is a natural filtration system for our lakes and rivers and that it is vital to clean water. So why would anyone want it eradicated….MONEY.

In keeping with our policy of defending conservation issues for bass anglers, Texas Black Bass Unlimited has taken the lead in forming this new organization to defend bass habitat in Texas. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Results are already being recognized from the efforts of S.M.A.R.T. in that over $40,000.00 has been raised for the purchase of a Hydrilla Harvester to demonstrate the effectiveness of mechanical, rather than chemical, control of unwanted weeds and over $30,000.00 has been raised for the production of an education do*****entary video. This video will be distributed in our secondary and high schools around the country to educate youth and the general public on the benefits of aquatic vegetation to the environment and as game fish and waterfowl habitat.

Looking forward to 1999 your can expect to see, aside from a more timely delivery of this magazine, more informative conservation news stories, more insights from the pros on fishing and tournament strategies, more fishing reports and more sponsors with great new products for you to review. We also plan to offer more lake reports in upcoming issues. Anyone wishing to contribute please feel free to contact us.

Black Bass magazine and Texas Black Bass Unlimited has been and will continue to be the leader for conservation of our freshwater fisheries. Our many accomplishments, in that regard, speak for themselves. We have demonstrated and will continue
to demonstrate our concern for conservation by pro-active involvement with tough environmental and conservation issues in Texas and around the United States. As we have for years, we will continue to lead the way in freshwater fisheries conservation.
– Lake Mohave

They came from the hills of Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia in reply to a call for help from Texas anglers. Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone? No, even bigger heroes, Ray Scott, the “Father of Professional Bass Fishing,” and Tennessee Valley River Authority Aquatic Weed Manager, Doug Murphy.

Who sent out the cry for help? Ed Parten. Who’s Ed Parten? Ask any bass fisherman in the State of Texas who Ed Parten is and nine out of ten will tell you he’s the guy that led the battle to keep Carp out of Lake Conroe. Though he lost that battle he has won many, many others. No individual has done more for bass fishing in Texas than Ed Parten. If there’s a project going on to improve Texas’ fisheries you can bet your last dollar that “Big Ed” will be involved, probably organizing the project.

Standing with Parten, Ray Murski of Strike King Lures and thousands of concerned Texas anglers. Bass Club members, Texas Black Bass Unlimited, Texas Association of Bass Clubs, Honey Hole and many other Bass Fishing Organizations.

Why was the call sent out? To prevent the killing of another Texas Lake. This time Bastrop, less than a hundred miles from the Alamo. Makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up just writing about it.

Who’s killing our lakes? Chemical and Power Generating Companies. Wielding the kind of power and influence that comes from selling “Toxic Chemicals,” under the labels of “Aquatic Herbicides,” to state government and electric power generating companies for $2,000.00 per gallon, Chemical Companies have influenced River Authorities and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to pour thousands of gallons a year into Texas lakes and rivers. Many of these water bodies are used as water supplies for Texas towns.

Anglers agree that aquatic weeds need to be controlled. What they don’t agree on is using “Toxic Chemicals” to control them. There are other ways.

Smart management programs use a variety of other means of controlling unwanted vegetation. One such means is “Mechanical Harvesters.” Lakes in the north central United States, that have used mechanical control say that they have enhanced aquatic life in their lakes and the water remains clear and clean. Most lakes need aquatic vegetation to filter the water and control bottom erosion.

Eradication leaves a leaves without any vegetation for habitat or filtration. After a few years the lakes are taken over with “Algae Bloom” and become murky and are unhealthy fisheries.

Most of the lakes with a history of “Mechanical Management” report enhanced game fish populations.

Back to our “heroes” at the “Battle of Bastrop.” Ray Scott wrote a letter to Texas Governor George W. Bush asking Governor Bush to declare a moratorium on the use of Toxic Herbicides and implement a feasibility study on the use of mechanical devices to manage unwanted aquatic weeds. Bush agreed and Scott arranged with the Tennessee Valley River Authority to bring a “Mechanical Harvester” from Tennessee to Lake Bastrop for a test.

The test results were very positive. In less than two days all aquatic vegetation was mowed down to five feet below the surface. Not one fish was killed and a stand of sub-surface vegetation was left for aquatic habitat and filtration. No this didn’t put another $100,000.00 or so in the Chemical Companies bank accounts but it did cost $8,000.00. $8,000.00 to bring a machine all the way from Tennessee and back and cut all the vegetation in the lake in less than a week.

Who paid the expenses? You might think the power company that wanted the weeds gone in the first place, they’d have bought the “Toxic Chemicals.” Or you might think the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department or the Texas Water Quality Board or the EPA. No.

Heroes paid for it. Over two hundred anglers and fishing industry companies, that’s who paid for it. In a little over three days checks from $5 to $1,000 flooded in.

A pretty impressive
display of concern and generosity by any measure.

Where do we go from here? SMART, it stands for Sensible Management of Aquatic Resources Together. Ray Scott, Ed Parten, Ray Murski, Lindy Ellison, Randy Kindler, Pat McCarty, Texas Black Bass Unlimited, Texas Association of Bass Clubs and many, many others put their heads together and formulated a plan. The plan is to raise money to purchase a harvester and demonstrate its effectiveness in managing aquatic weeds. SMART is the name of the organization formed to implement this plan.

You can be a part of it. If you have time to volunteer for working with the fund raising committee you can call “Big Ed” at 713-648-6152. Or you just want to send a contribution to the fund you can mail a check to SMART at PO Box 11729, Houston, Texas 77293.

Fund Raiser. ” An Evening with Ray Scott.” The first fund raising event will be held August 14, 1998 at the Hotel Sofitel Greenspoint in Houston, Texas. Other pioneers of the bass fishing industry already scheduled to join Scott in Houston at this event are; Roland Martin – Legendary angler; all-time tournament winner and TV Superstar, Bob Cobb – 30-year pioneer with B.A.S.S. Bassmasters Magazine and Bassmasters TV, Glen Lau – Renowned cinematographer and creator of the award-winning epic “Big Mouth Forever” and host of his own TNN TV show, Earl Bentz – Founder of Triton Boats and 30 year innovator and pioneer in the quality and performance of bass boats, Bill Dance – Super Star and bass fishing pioneer celebrity. The list of “Bass Fishing Super Stars” is still growing.

Tickets are $100. A limit of 500 tickets will be sold and each ticket holder will be entered into a drawing for a 1999 Dodge Quad Cab truck. For information email tbbu@tbbu.com – Lake Mohave

Texas Black Bass Unlimited is planning a fund raising event to place channel markers in the Trinity River on Lake Livingston from the Highway 190 Bridge to the Highway 19 Bridge.

TBBU is an all volunteer non profit statewide organization that is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of our freshwater fishing and resource conservation. They work closely with the Texas Parks & Wildlife to control the use of exotic fish stocking in the State’s freshwater fisheries that threaten the native game fish. TBBU has demonstrated their dedication to the preservation of the State’s freshwater fisheries, since it’s inception, by donating their time and energy to the placement of artificial reefs, petitioning the State Legislature to increase the penalties against poachers who steal game fish from other law abiding citizens and by donating their time to work with children’s groups interested in fishing such as the “Get Hooked on Fishing Not Drugs” campaign. The Houston Chapter formed a steering committee headed by Ed Parten to plan the event.

A banquet and raffle combined with a fishing tournament is being planned to be held in The Woodlands this fall. A similar event was held last year in Dallas and raised over $30,000.00 that was used as seed money for the construction of the new State Fish Hatchery.
The GALA scheduled for this fall will be an excellent opportunity for anyone wishing to make a “great deal” on a new boat and motor or any of the other items that will be auctioned off. Six brand new 93 model fully rigged bass boats will be auctioned off at the banquet along with a wealth of fishing tackle, boating equipment and other sporting equipment.

Ticket sales to the GALA are off to a great start with over 11 Platinum Sponsor Tables already sold. Tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis so get your order in early. Platinum Tables will seat 11 at the banquet and are selling for $1,000.00. Gold Tables are $750.00, Silver Tables are $500.00, Individual Tickets are $50.00 and an Event Ticket is $25.00.

For ticketing information call Bruce Schuler, who heads the Ticketing Committee, at 713-334-3346.

Anyone wishing to attend and or participate in the event as a Sponsor, Advertiser or Auction Item Contributor should call one of the following Steering Committee Members.

For Auction Items contact Rick Dixon at 713-875-0300 or Lonnie Hernandez at 713-783-2961.

If you would like to have a booth at the GALA contact Woodie Amos at 713-353-6031 or Ed Churchman at 713-648-3253.

For advertising information in the Commemorative Program contact Pat McCarty at 409-856-8537.

Other committee heads all of whom are also volunteering their time to organize this event are as follows;
Jack Allen, Membership Booth, 713-862-9733
Dale Driggers, Printing, 713-448-4703
Dan Ellis, Reservations, 409-327-4084
Bob Gatewood, Decorations, 713-686-1919
Shirley Gatewood, Decorations, 713-686-1919
Vicki Follmar, Decorations, 713-649-2709
Lorin Lively, Tournament, 713-458-6954
John Lee, Treasurer, 713-452-6344
David McGee, Raffle Items, 713-376-9425
Larry Miller, Security, 713-891-1906
Frances Nettles, Secretary, 713-580-1469
Tom Nettles, Auction, 713-580-1469
Randy Nichols, Computer Data, 713-862-9733
Mark Seale, Ticket Sales, 713-334-3346

Call for details. Help support TBBU in their effort to make Lake Livingston a safer place to boat and fish. – Lake Mohave

Ask any die hard tournament or weekend bass fisherman that question and you will receive the same answer.YUK!!!! But ask Wayne Stark long time “BASS CAT” driver and local tournament angler that question and you will hear I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! This writer and Wayne with a group of local anglers made an exploratory trip few years ago to Port Mansfield, to verify the stories told of Salt Water top water and artificial fishing action to rival the best days we have ever had fresh water fishing. Wayne was so impressed that last year he and his wonder wife Mary bought a place at Port Mansfield and constructed what we affectionately call STARK”S COMPOUND.

Effective Jan.1 ,1997 Capt. Wayne and Mary opened “Capt. Waynes Bed and Breakfast Guide Service “, Port Mansfield ,Texas. Capt. Wayne has the unique ability to meet anyone’s Salt Water fishing requirements, from flats fishing in the Laguna Madre to Blue Water adventures offshore. He can provide a complete package including lodging , meals and guide service, or one day guide trips. I recommend the complete package as not only is the fishing outstanding, the food and lodging are first cabin.

On a recent trip this writer, Charlie Adams, and Keith Porter spent three days with Capt. Wayne and as usual had a great three days of fishing. Thursday was spent in the Laguna Madre catching reds, specks, and founder. Friday was spent off shore where at ten AM we had limited out on red snapper in the four to ten pound range. As Keith had to leave on Friday it was myself, Charlie and Capt. Wayne on Saturday where we had another outstanding day in the Laguna Madre, we caught reds, specks and twenty four flounder. Catching flounder on Hogie plastic shrimp tails is as challenging as Carolina rigging for bass.

The photos along with this article should help in reassuring any skeptics that Capt. Wayne has arrived at being one of the premiere lower coast guides and his ability to take his fresh water knowledge and apply it to salt water gives him the ability to put his clients on outstanding fish day after day. To contact Capt. Wayne call 956-944-2508. NOTE: if you book the complete package be sure to request Capt. Wayne’s home made chicken noodle soup you will not be disappointed, I quarantee!

Capt. Wayne is sponsored by All Stars Rods, Mariner Salt Water,Hogie Baits, Shallow Sport Boats, Wahoe Boats, Quantum ,MotorGuide, McClain Trailers, Boots -Follmar Marine and Lowrance Electronics. – Lake Mohave

Wake up “Bubba” it’s time to sell your bass boat. You know that shiny new metalflake rig out there in the garage? You need to take it down to your local boat dealer and see what they’ll give you on trade for a flat bottom, cause while you were settin there on your butt someone was out there killin your favorite fishin hole. You know that fancy new Shimano reel you bought last week for that “High Tech” CastAway worm rod? You can hang that sucker on a couple nails on your wall and head out to the hardware store for a ball of twine cause your next fishin trip is gonna be spreadin “Stink Bait” on a catfish Trot Line.

SMARTen Up “Bubba.” Yea that’s what they call us, “Bubba.” They think bass fishermen all have tobacco juice droolin down their chins and vacuum chambers for brain containers. They think you’re so STUPID that you won’t even notice they’re killin your favorite fishin holes. They think you’re so STUPID that you can’t see all the potholes in the dilapidated marinas on Lake Livingston after they killed that lake and turned it into the states biggest “Pig Wallow.” Well guess what “Bubba” they are bringin that dog and pony show to your lake. They’ll turn your great fishery into a “Mud Hole.”

Now that I have that rant out of my system let me explain my point in a more logical fashion. It’s very hard not to be overwhelmed by cynicism in the face of such a perverse ecological tragedy.

God blessed Texas with this nation’s greatest bass fishing waters. A combination of ideal climate and the world’s best fish and game department produced prolific bass fisheries, like Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend and Lake Fork, that were the envy of bass anglers from all over the globe. Aside from smart Texas Parks & Wildlife (TP&W) biologists there is one very important factor that makes the fisheries outstanding, Hydrilla. As I’m writing this story I realize I was hesitant to even put the word down in print, Hydrilla. The “Spin Doctors” from Lewisville have put out so much negative Propaganda in the past few years on Hydrilla I’ve subconciously begun to believe it’s a bad word. “Bull Corn”. We all know it’s been good for Texas waters.

Before they killed all the Hydrilla
in Lake Conroe, my home, water clarity was 8 feet or more and it was one of the best bass fishing lakes in the country. Now it’s another “Mud Hole” like Livingston, Lake Houston and Cedar Creek. I walk out my back door every day and it turns my stomach to recall standing on the deck and looking down into crystal clear water at every kind of fish there is swimming by in great numbers. Now I won’t even let my kids swim in it and if I have to get in it to do any repair work on the bulkhead I feel I have to rush in the house and take a shower to wash the crud off me.

Now river authorities around the state like Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) are dumping Toxic Herbicides into our lakes and rivers, on a regular basis, to kill Hydrilla. Why? Because a few wealthy waterfront property developers wield powerful political influence on state officials and because the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation (AERF), Inc. represented locally by USAE Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility, Lewisville, Texas, has been conducting a massive, nation wide, propaganda campaign to convince the public that Hydrilla is a horrible menace that will completely take over lakes. They constructed a series of shallow ponds in Lewisville so they could make sure they would mat over . Then they take pictures of the matted ponds and show them around the state telling people this is what will happen to your lake if you don’t put Toxic Herbicides in them to kill the Hydrilla. The sad thing is that people believe them, assuming since they are scientists and have a research facility, they must know what they’re talking about.

Here’s something the public isn’t told. Who is AERF? Gold Members are American Cyanamid, Applied Biochemists, Cygnet Enterprises, Dow AgroSciences, Elf Autochem, North America, Monsanto Corporation, Rhone-Poulenc, SePro Corporation and Zeneca – all chemical companies. There are many more chemical company members. You decide why they are telling the public what a menace Hydrilla is. Duh…

Let’s assume for the sake of argument that Hydrilla is a problem, although I don’t personally completely accept this premise. How do we deal with it? First of all we don’t have to turn our lakes into biological wastelands. Hydrilla can be managed, it doesn’t have to be annihilated. We can have our cake and eat it too. There are many lake managers in the north central U.S. that will point to their management records of “mechanical weed control” that produce improvements in aquatic life (fish “Bubba”), water clarity and recreational boating access.

I’m not alone in my evaluation of this Hydrilla situation. I stand in very good company with Ray Scott, (you may have heard of him), Ed Parten, Roland Martin, Bill Dance, Earl Bentz, Bob Cobb and Glen Lau just to name a few.

This is where you come in “Bubba.” It’s time to prove to the chemical pushers that your ole noggin is good for somethin besides a hat rack for that new Skeeter cap you got with that shiny bass boat parked out there in the garage. Here’s the plan.

A new organization has been formed SMART. SMART stands for Sensible Management of Aquatic Resources Together and our members are not chemical companies. Our members are a coalition of the states largest bass fishing organizations. Texas Black Bass Unlimited (TBBU), Texas Association of Bass Clubs (TABC), Texas B.A.S.S. State Federation and Honey Hole, to name a few. The mission of this organization is to provide leadership and education in the arena of aquatic resource management and to demonstrate the benefits of mechanical control of aquatic weeds.
“OK, OK McCarty I get the picture, what can I do?” – you’re saying to yourself. Here’s what you can do “Stink Bait Breath” – SMARTen Up. Right now….that means as soon as you put this magazine down…send in a tax-deductible donation to the purchase of our first Harvester: $5, $10 or whatever you can afford.

The first fund raiser will be held in Houston on August 14th at the Hotel Sofitel Greenspoint, ‘An Evening with Ray Scott.” Other pioneers of the bass fishing industry already scheduled to join Scott in Houston at this event are: Roland Martin – Legendary angler; all-time tournament winner and TV Superstar; Bob Cobb – 30-year pioneer with B.A.S.S. Bassmasters Magazine and Bassmasters TV; Glen Lau – renowned cinematographer and creator of the award-winning epic “Big Mouth Forever” and host of his own TNN TV show; Earl Bentz – founder of Triton Boats and 30 year innovator and pioneer in the quality and performance of bass boats; Bill Dance – Super Star and bass fishing pioneer celebrity. The list of “Bass Fishing Super Stars” is still growing.

Tickets are $100. A limit of 500 tickets will be sold and each ticket holder will be entered in a drawing for a 1999 Dodge Quad Cab truck.

Seriously now, I give twenty, sometimes, eighty hours a month in support of this organization because I want to do my part to preserve a sport that has given so much to me over the years. Please lend a hand and do as much as you can to support this project. Make your check payable to SMART and send them to PO Box 11729, Houston, Texas 77293. Thanks – Pat McCarty – Proud to be called “Bubba”
– Lake Mohave

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fish with a Nationally Ranked Professional Angler?

Judy Wong is a full time guide on Fayette County Lake when she’s not fishing the Bass’n Gals Pro circuit. She lives in west Houston with husband, Glenn and son, Scott, who is currently attending college.

She has enjoyed fishing all her life and started when her father took her fishing as a young girl. Three years ago Judy started fishing professionally and fished the Bass’n Gals circuit, qualifying for the Classic in her first year. In 78 and 89 she won two boats and has qualified for the Classic every year since fishing Bass’n Gals. Last year she finished in 5th place in the Angler of the Year race and is currently in 12th this year. Judy is sponsored by Red Wing Boat Company, Champion Boats, Zebco/Motorguide, Pradco, Culprit, Limberneck Spinner Baits and Gamagatsu.
When she’s not fishing in a Bass n Gals tournament or practicing for one she is guiding on Fayette County Lake, working a Boat Show for sponsor, Red Wing Boat Company, giving corporate seminars on Bass Fishing, and as if that’s not enough she gives of her time for charity work like the “Get Hooked on Fishing Not Drugs” program and the “Make a Wish Foundation”. Judy also volunteers her time for the “Sunshine Kids Tournament” sponsored by Houston Fish.

Fulfilling such a demanding schedule would not be possible, Judy says, without the support of her husband Glenn.

When she talks about her guide business her face lights up and you can tell she really enjoys this part of her profession. She especially enjoys mothers with children type trips where she gets to teach fishing. She is probably better suited for this kind of fishing because of her patience. A crusty old fishing guide might have less patience to deal with children.

Don’t be mislead though, this lady can hold her own with any guide when it come to catching fish.

Recently I called Judy to see if she was available for a photo session for one of her sponsors. I explained that I would prefer to get some photos of her on the water and ideally with a big fish. When faced with this challenge myself I usually think, “yeah right like I can go out any time I want and catch a big fish”, but she said OK and told me to meet her at Emmett’s and Velma’s Store on Hwy 159 near the Lake at 6:00 am later that week.

At 6:00 am later that week I’m setting in Emmett’s store solving world problems, with Emmett, over a cup of coffee and in walks this good looking lady dressed like a bass fisherman, Judy Wong. After chatting with Emmett awhile we headed for the Lake. I followed Judy in my boat so I could get some pictures. She started fishing shallow vegetation along the shoreline with various shallow running jerk baits. I’m staying close behind concentrating on getting some good pictures and enjoying the morning. After about an hour and only a couple of misses on the jerk baits I’m beginning to think that I’m glad I’m not in her position because I’d be getting awfully nervous without a fish by now, but Judy seemed quite relaxed and confident and continued to patiently and methodically work the shoreline cover that she had set out to fish. When she had finished the shoreline of that cove she moved out to deeper water to try some deep water structure. Not long after, she bowed up on what appeared to be a pretty good fish. I’m in a panic thinking this may be the only fish we get on and want to get some good pictures. Finally the fish blows up and it’s a five pounder. As though she was in a tournament Judy coolly played the fish to the boat, lands it and we get a few posed pictures then release the fish. Nice way to break the ice. About fifteen minutes later her rod doubles over again. Another fish close to 5 pounds.

With a big smile, Judy says, why don’t you do some fishing Pat? I’ve never been able to refuse a good challenge, and besides she had just boated two 5 pounders in the past fifteen minutes and I should easily be able to get a few good fish real quick.
An hour and a half later the score was Lady Angler 6, Photographer 2. I had just been given a first class fishing lesson. Out of eight fish or so in about two and a half hours Judy had put us on a couple three pounders, 2 fish between 3 and 4 pounds, four fish in the 5 pound range and a 7.5 pounder. That’s what I call producing under pressure. It’s easy to see why Judy has made the Classic all three years she has fished Bass’n Gals. In about three hours she had patterned the fish and produced the big fish I had asked for. This Lady is not just another pretty face but a very good professional angler.

For a great guide trip, with a Nationally Ranked Professional Angler, call Judy Wong at 713-933-9724 – Lake Mohave

Allot of questions have been raised in this magazine, over the past few months, about the fish kills at Sam Rayburn. Now reports are all over the Internet and phone lines about similar occurrences at Lake Fork early this summer.

Texas Parks & Wildlife in public meetings at Sam Rayburn and Lake Fork state that the significance of the fish kill is minimal in terms of harm to the fish population. They further stated, at a public meeting in Athens, that the reason for fish kill on Sam Rayburn was Angler induced stress and hot weather.

At this same meeting in Athens there was a presentation on a study conducted on the survivability of fish caught and released in fishing tournaments. This study concluded that 20% to 65% of the fish released in tournaments die, depending on the water temperature at the time the tournament are held.

Numerous questions were raised about this study. Most were along the lines of my thinking, “Why don’t you see dead fish floating after a tournament?” The answer by all the biologists present was that most of the fish that die don’t float to the surface. They are eaten by turtles and other scavengers. Hmmmmm…..
If TP&W said they counted 1,800 fish floating during their few day study, and anglers reported dead and dying floating fish, large fish, for months after the Rayburn kill.

If TP&W counted 1,800 in a few days and dead fish were reported for a few months, lets say just two for the sake of making my point (many would contend it went on much longer) then 1,800 times 10(few days in a month by my scientific calculation) would mean 18,000 per month for two months would be around 36,000, according to my TI Scientific Calculator.

As I recall the scientists at Athens stated it something like “ a very small percentage of the fish that die after being released in fishing tournaments float to the surface.”

If a very small percentage of the fish float to the surface and somewhere around 36,000 floated to the surface on Rayburn last summer doesn’t that mean that 36,000 is a small percentage of the fish that died on Rayburn, by the experts opinion. Does that mean then that 360,000 big fish died on Rayburn last year? You tell me.

There’s so much BS being floated on this topic, who knows. Imagine if only a small amount of this BS we see being floated is a small percentage of the total BS???? Hmmmmmm……

A few concerned anglers, that care enough about the problem, to spend weeks researching potential causes have found some very interesting information. Scientific studies conducted by the Texas Natural Resource Commission on Rayburn over an 8 or 10-year period say that chemical pollution on Rayburn has been high enough to harm or kill aquatic life many times during their study period. One article in this issue regarding this study can be found on page 12. Please read it and decide for yourself whether this is a serious issue or not.

Here are a few things the board of directors of T.B.B.U. and S.M.A.R.T. feel need to be done:

1. 1.. Conduct tissue studies on fish found dying or with lesions. The studies should be conducted by an independent authority.
2. Conduct water quality studies on lakes where a fish kill is occurring while the fish kill is in progress.
3. Report any herbicide or pesticide application operations going on around the lakes to the T.B.B.U. or S.M.A.R.T. offices.
4. Report any aquatic vegetation herbicide applications to T.B.B.U. and S.M.A.R.T. – Lake Mohave

Fishing in the heat of the summer doesn’t have to be a traumatic experience. As tournament anglers who fish all year long, Norman and I have had to adjust to the elements, reduce the amount of time on the water during periods of hot weather; learn to preplan strategy; and, adapt our fishing methods and tactics accordingly.

Toledo Bend Reservoir is located on the Sabine River. This deep, clear water lake is surrounded by red rolling hills and piney woods. It is nestled in the heart of East Texas on the Louisiana border. The lake is 65-miles long, contains 185,000 surface acres and has 1,200 miles of fishing shoreline. The lake was impounded in 1967 and is one of the most well known and publicized lakes in the Country. The lake is very fertile, has a tremendous fishery and the lake record for Black Bass is 14.69, caught in March 1998. There is an abundance of grass and most all the bass tournaments are won on the south end of the lake because of the massive amounts of vegetation.

As our tournament circuits are winding down, Norman and I approached our Toledo Bend tournament for the East Texas Anglers Choice Couples circuit with a great deal of hesitation. We had not been on the lake in over two months. We arrived late Saturday afternoon and opted to trailer our Boots Follmar Marine Pro Staff Skeeter 210 over to registration and then back down to a friend of ours camp on the South end of the lake. We had pretty well determined our game plan of what and how we were going to approach our tournament day and didn’t want to disturb the fish or get out in the heat and beat up on them before the actual tournament day began. Of course, this kind of thinking is either very confident or, at the least, very risky! After all, we went into the tournament in 8th place overall; and, in order to qualify for the championship, we were going to have to do good in that tournament.

In year’s past, we were always out there in the extreme heat, practicing from sun up to sun down and never missing a beat . . . but this year, something changed and we decided that we could take a more sensible approach to the heat. Why burn yourself and your partner up and make each other miserable practicing all day in the heat, especially when you know exactly what your going to do, where your going, and what baits your going to use. Instead, we went back to the camp house and got our gear ready for the next day’s competition and went to bed early and got plenty of rest. Come Sunday, we were ready, a little nervous though as we had never taken this laid back approach before and were treading new waters.

As luck would have it, our boat number was 1, and we headed to our first spot. We pulled up, put the trolling motor down and started throwing topwaters. Norman had several strikes but no takers and then the topwater action seemed to subside. We picked up our spinning gear and started to work our Zoom Trick worms along the deep water access on the edge of a huge grassbed located north of Pendleton Bridge. In the next hour, we boated nine bass, but only one was a keeper. We cranked up the Yamaha 225 and headed south. We went to our second spot which was a mainlake flat near Housen. We stuck with this spot most of the rest of the day because we had continuous bites there and because the grass was just perfect for the kind of fishing we were doing. We put two more keepers in the boat and thought we’d go to our last spot in hopes of landing a kicker fish or two (5 fish limit) to anchor our weight and cinch the day. It didn’t happen, so we went back to our number two spot and finished out the day there and stuck another keeper fish and caught several smaller fish.

We must have easily caught over 30 fish that day, but only four of them were keepers. Even though we finished up with only four fish, we were quite proud of our accomplishment, especially in view of the fact that we had no practice and were just going on gut instincts and past experience. Previously, practicing in the heat has just killed us and by tournament day, we were always worn out and exhausted before the event ever started. This year was different, we were refreshed on tournament day and able to focus on the task at hand and it really made a big difference. We didn’t win our tournament, and we probably only placed somewhere in the top 20, but we did amazingly well for the little effort we put into it. You know, fishing tournaments doesn’t have to be nerve wracking, intense competition. Sometimes you just need to calm down, relax and let the conditions dictate your game plan, and just go with the flow. After all, Texas in August is no time to get in a big old hurry to do anything. Always respect the water and the elements and learn to work with them instead of against them! – Lake Mohave