New World Classic Baits Website

As you may know, I am a field tester for the World Classic Baits company which provides a range of carp fishing baits.  Whether you're looking for popups, hook bait boilies, feeder boilies, base mixes, dips, sprays, flavored maize, or bait additives, you'll find it all at the new World Classic Baits. Recently, World Classic Baits relaunched their new website which is a winner if you ask me.  You can see my write up and the field tester page here.

I've personally tried a range of WCB products and can testify to their ability to catch fish.  While I've tried many flavors, the 4 Seasons flavor is definitely my favorite.  Don't believe me? Check out the video below of 2013 catches on WCB baits.  I hope you'll consider them for your next bait order.  You can view their online store here.
 

Black Drum Run: Seawolf Park 2-21-14

Back Story

My brother-in-law Brendt decided to come into town and asked me if I could take him saltwater fishing.  Initially I thought kayak fishing for slot reds and trout.  Brendt was coming in late Thursday night on the 20th (like 11pm late!), so I didn't have time to borrow a kayak for him to use.  Earlier on in the week it was looking like the weather wasn't going to be so cooperative either.  I left town on a Monday and flew back to the same airport as him on Thursday night.  With no time to pick up a kayak, I started checking the fishing reports and saw a lot of black drum being caught.  Those are pretty fun and I haven't caught one in awhile so I thought we'd go out to Seawolf and try our luck.

Seawolf Park

I had never been to Seawolf Park in Galveston before, though I knew it gave access to some of the Galveston ship channels.  Deep channels are places I have had luck with black drum before.  They can be difficult to fish if there is a strong current moving through, as in the Galveston Ship Channel.  Additionally, it is a popular fishing destination and there were several reports of people catching big uglies (oversized drum) this time of year.  If you're not familiar with Seawolf Park, click here

Upon arrival at the park, we learned there was a $6 fee per car and a $6 fee per angler, or $18 for the two of us to fish for the day.  It's not free, but not terrible either.  The park is pretty large and has some nice facilities.  Plenty of porta potties, fish cleaning stations, parking, etc.  Some of the fishing spots are a little walk, so a cart or a friend would make things easier.  There is one lighted fishing pier, and fishing from the rocks is prohibited after dark.  There were several places to access the Galveston Ship Channel as well as some shallower areas. 

The Fishing

Having never been there, we asked the employees where they recommended fishing.  They recommended the bulkhead, having just been opened.  We decided to give it a shot.  After promptly hanging up our first two bottom rigs, we decided to move further towards the mouth of the channel.  From the bulk head, it looked like there was a layer of shell on the bottom that had been dredged up from the channel, and we couldn't get past it with our gear.  However, this section of the beach did provide some relief from the swift moving currents moving through the channel.

We brought with us blue crabs, horse mullet, dead shrimp, and fish bites - all of which were reported to have caught big uglies.  Additionally, this is a popular spot to catch bull reds from the bank, sheephead and flounder.  Honestly my goal was just to help Brendt get a fish on the bank, no matter what species.  Upon arrival, we noticed that there was a strong wind blowing in our face.  There were people already fishing off the bulk head, but we thought we'd give it a shot.  We put out a half crab on the bottom and a dead shrimp under a cork and started throwing it around the rocks. 

After realizing this spot was not going to work and taking a walk around the whole park, I decided to give it a go off the rocks on the right side of the park.  In the map above, from satellite view, you'll see a brown square that is the swing set.  We fished right in front of that.  The current is much stronger on this part of the channel.  We made a pre-trip to Academy and bought several sizes of weights.  I started with the 5 oz bank sinker, and felt the familiar "tick tick tick" of it bouncing across the bottom.  We added an additional 3 oz pyramid sinker and the 8 oz of weight was enough to hold the bottom.  A 5 oz spider weight would have probably sufficed as well.  The wind was blowing hard in our face and we decided to ditch the trout rods and just focus on the bottom baits.

About 30 minutes after setting out the first rod, the clicker starts going off and the rod starts running.  Brendt grabs it and the fight is on.  After a fun 10 minute or so fight, he pulls in the biggest fish he's ever caught, and our first big ugly of the day.  We didn't have a measuring tape or a weight scale with us, but what a fish!

Rod: 7' Ugly Stik Catfish MH 15-30lb
Reel: Abu Garcia C3 6501
Line:  Powerpro 50lb
Bait: 1/2 Blue crab - click here to see how to rig blue crabs
Leader: 4' 400lb mono with a sliding clasp for a sinker 1/2 way up w/ 8oz of weight
Hook: 16/0 Mustad Circle
Presentation: On bottom w/ clicker on

We were stoked having caught our first fish.   We went to setting the lines back out and waiting.  After checking them every 30 minutes or so and putting on fresh bait, we started running low on leaders.  The reels we used have a low gear ratio and with the amount of weight on the leader, its important to reel fast to keep the hook from snagging in the rocks near the shore.  Sometimes, this is easier said than done though, but our snags were probably mostly operator error.  So running low on pre-made leaders and weights, we decided to improvise.  I had some large swivels, some 25lb mono, and some 8/0 Gamakatsu circle hooks in my box - they'd have to do.

We set the lines back out with the last of our tackle and waited.  I had just told Brendt he caught the only fish in the gulf when one of the reels started peeling off.  What a rush!  It was my turn so I ran over and picked up the reel and started fighting the fish.  This time I was using a heavier rod and heavier reel than previously, and the fish didn't have as much of a chance.  Not to mention when I landed the fish, it had swallowed the hook way down deep.  There was no way of getting it out, so I had to cut the leader off at the fish's mouth.  I was extremely happy to catch our 2nd big ugly of the day!  I can't say if this was my PB or not, but I can say it was FUN!

Rod: 7' Ugly Stik Tiger MH 20-50lb
Reel: Avet MXL
Line:  Stren 40lb Mono in Hi Vis Green
Bait: 1/4 Blue crab - click here to see how to rig blue crabs
Leader: 4' 25lb mono with 8oz of weight rigged in line above the leader's swivel on the main line
Hook: 8/0 Gamakatsu Circle
                                                 Presentation: On bottom w/ clicker on

We kept at it for a little while longer, and while we were packing up were getting a few tugs on our last leaders, but could never hook up.  We stayed out for a total of about 4 hours in between moving spots and setting up and managed two nice fish.  All in all it was a successful trip and a great day! 

Rainbow Trout Fishing 2-8-14 Tom Bass I Park

Hello readers. I'm working on catching up on my blog and I thought I'd start with this post. You'll start to see some that are out of order in terms of dates, but hopefully you'll enjoy reading the content.

You may or may not know that each year the Texas Parks and Wildlife stock rainbow trout in several park ponds across the state. You can find a list of the locations they're being stocked here. These fish don't last long in the ponds due to fishing pressure from people, other fish, and cormorants but are relatively easy. They also represent a new species to catch for me!

My buddy Greg and I decided to head to Tom Bass I Park to fish.  He'd been heading out there and having good luck the past week and offered to show me the ropes.  We decided to head out early, at get there at dusk.  Here's some of the specs on the weather that day:

Fishing Time: 7AM - 9AM
Temp: 41 degrees
Barometer: 30.22 rising
Wind: None
Bait: Berkeley Floating Trout Worm 3" Orange Peel 
Rod/Reel: Browning Superlite 4lb test Stren Mono
Presentation Method: Drop Shot

Greg was using a fly rod but rigged the trout worm to fish on the fly rod wacky style.  He recommended I work the trout worm slowly on a drop shot rig.  I started following his instructions while he started slaying them on the fly rod.  Meanwhile, I wasn't having much luck with the drop shot presentation.  After a few fish, Greg asked if I wanted to try the fly rod.  Having never fly fished, I thought why not.  He gave me a few tips and before I knew it I had my first trout, and it was on the fly!  I was pumped!

Combined we ended up catching 5 or 6.  Being stocked fish, they were pretty small.  But I had a lot of fun and accomplished something new in catching my first rainbow and my first fish on the fly.  I'm hooked!

First Rainbow and First Fish on the Fly!

2014 Wild Carp Club of Houston Introduction

 Introduction

OK people, so here is a secondary place to put information about the Wild Carp Club of Houston's 2014 season. The Wild Carp Club is a core group of dedicated carp anglers who practice the sport of catch and release carp fishing in Houston. First formed in 2012, we're heading into our third season with the mission to increase the popularity of carp fishing as a sport.

Schedule

We will hold several free fish-ins this year in two different formats. The first format is a learn and catch format, where we'll be fishing lakes that are known to be good producers of large quantities of fish. I will be prebaiting ahead of time for these sessions to increase our catch rate.  The focus of these sessions is to introduce new anglers to different methods of catching carp as well as some of the carp specific gear that is available today. 

The second format will be two overnight "sessions" from Friday evening to Sunday morning. These will be at locations further away from Houston where larger fish roam.  These camping/fishing sessions really allow the angler to test their skills of setting up a swim and attracting and keeping schools of feeding fish in front of them.  Not to mention the camaraderie and camping that goes along with it!

Lastly, the season will be broken up into two separate parts.  The first part from March to May and the second from August to October.  There will be one event each month on a Sunday with the exception of the over night events.  March, April, August, and September will be day sessions while May and October will be overnight sessions with hopefully cooler weather.

View the Wild Carp Club of Houston 2014 Schedule Here (click)

If you're interested in fishing a session, please confirm your attendance with me in advance so I can ensure adequate bank space by emailing me at nick@wildcarpcompanies.com.

Prizes

 There will be prizes to the anglers who catch the most weight each session, all season, and to those who break any of our club records.

View the 2014 Prize Schedule (click)

View our Club Records (click)

Rules

All anglers who come to fish with us are expected to follow the club rules.

View the Club Rules (click)

Pictures

Here's a slide show of some of our past catches, because who doesn't like pictures?

New Year's Resolution 2014

Hello everybody. Just a quick post after a few month break. I apologize I haven't provided anything interesting to read lately. I thought I'd share a few New Years Resolutions to kick things off in 2014. First of all, I'm going to do a better job of writing up my trips and posting other interesting things to this blog. I recently bought some new memory cards so my goal is to post more pictures and videos. Secondly, another fishing resolution is to fish more overnight trips this year. That may mean less day/short trips, which dominated my 2013. I find these trips to be hit or miss mainly. I usually catch, but not necessarily what I would consider "a lot." So those are my New Years Resolutions for 2014. Get ready to read more interesting reports and product reviews this year!

Petition Against Bowfishing Lake Fork: Bowfishing Rant!

If you've found this page, I'd like you all to visit and sign this petition to establish slot limits on the size of fish that a bowfisherman can take from Lake Fork. Lake Fork is the home of the Wild Carp Companies Texas 44, an endurance fishing tournament that promotes carp and smallmouth buffalo as sport fish. Entry fees this past year were $600 per team and the tournament sold out. Additionally, almost all anglers came in ahead of time and rented cabins, hotels, ate at restaurants, bought ice and snacks at gas stations, etc.

Not to mention I am staunchly against bowfishing as a sport except where true population control is deemed necessary by the state. The only species I can think of in this case would be the invasive Asian silver carp. To me, the senseless killing of any species of fish, whether it is classified as a "game" fish or a "rough" fish is inhumane and cruel. Texas law states you may not leave fish that can be used for bait or eaten on the bank, but does not provide a provision that these fish must be used for these purposes. In addition to being dumped at boat ramps, hundreds of fish are simply brought home and thrown in the woods, etc. It's a complete waste of our natural resources, and a waste of life. The argument is population control, but without scientific study this argument does not have any merit.

Again, if you feel the same way I do and want to start helping carp and buffalo gain the reputation they deserve as sport fish, please sign this petition

 

Fishing Log Template

I want to share a fishing log template I designed. A fishing log is a great way to track what works and what doesn't. As I play around with more and more rigs and baits, I can't remember what works and what doesn't. All I can say is lately I've been having a lot more of not working than working, and I'm determined to fix that trend. It could be worse, I'm getting the bites but not always catching the fish as I'm tinkering around with the rigs. It's time to document some of this so I can get it right and keep improving. So here's a log I developed, specifically for my needs. I make several notes on the page and print out a copy of the map where I'm fishing to mark specific locations. I had trouble finding a suitable template online, so I customized this one and hope it helps.

Blogger does not let you share files, so I had to post this file on Mediashare. CLICK THIS LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE A screen shot hits the highlights.