Hunting reds in TX

[hamonbagel]

I know this isn't in our area but it is a report. I headed to the 9 Mile Hole in the area of Corpus Christi. We went hunting for reds in the flats. What an awsome weekend it was. Only had one day with gale force winds in the morning and by the afternoon, we hit the flats. We were throwing anything with color that resembled a shrimp. I don't think it really mattered what we were using as long as they could see it. They have a bloom going on so clearity isn't as good as they like. Fish were in he 10-12 pound range. I had never done anything like this before. We boated up the the flats and jumped out in shin deep water. Slowly we walked towards the grass and watched for finning reds. It was exactly like the Tidal Fish logo. On Saturday, we found several birds working and under them were a school of reds. I got up wind and started to land my fly right in the middle. I tried to staw about 30 feet away but soon found them moving in my direction. I was getting hook ups but wasn't setting the hook right, Finally, 15 feet away, I got what I was after. A perfect lip hookup. The line on my 9 wt went screaming until i was able to slow it down. What great fighters they are.

I can't wait to go for the bull reds on the eastern shore when it warms up. We also picked up a few black drum and specs. Every night we would turn on the dock lights and after dinner, the shrimp would be jumping out of the water and the specs and lady fish were sitting under them.

Now that is flats fishing and they tasted great.

Something interesting that they have done is for the past five years, they band motors in the whole Nine Mile Hole with the exception of the marked channels. The grass and the fish really showed the difference. A renewal vote is coming up this year to extend the band. It's hard to beat this hole for flats fishing.


Jeff

[CaptMikeStarrett]

I fished out Corpus Christi four years ago and had a great time with trout and a few small reds. When I pulled out my fly rod the guide looked at me and almost laughed. I outfished him 2 to 1 both days. The rest of the time down there my wife and I drank like fish. They got this cigar /martini bar called the Dragon (X-bordello) that we would spend a lot of time and money in.

I would go back in a heartbeat.

Capt Mike Starrett

[Salmo trutta]

Those bull reds should be there now. Just finding them without running aground is always tricky. Never caught a bull on a fly but will try again this year, and the next and the next.....

[SingingReel]

Can you tell me where is 9 mile hole? My in-laws live in Corpus Christi and I visit them often. I like to give it try next time down there.
Thanks,

[msaba]

nice report! Redfish are on the fly are a real treat...I'm planning a trip to Lousianna this fall to check it out. Texas has its fair share of big reds for sure.

Mark

[Chris Newsome]

HOB-
Sweat![excited]

msaba-
Keep us filled in about your plans to LA. I've got to make the trip down there in the next year or two. From what I've heard, it is insane![grin]

Chris

[Fishamajig]

When you say "band motors" do you mean "ban motors" as in outlawing their use in certain areas ?

[hamonbagel]

Singing -- The exact location is in the following. I thought you all might want to read the legislation so here is it, cut and pasted. It is a real interesting concept. Of course, it makes a large area very inconvienent to the guy who doesn't want to get some exercise by wading from the boat. While I was there for the two days, we were the only ones who waded through it. Some guides boated in with the channel but didn't stay to long. It really wouldn't have been the same quality of fishing if a boat cruised by me while I was standing there. In fact, the water level was down and we could see distictly where a boat had been earlier this year. The prop had cut a channel in the mud. Imagine those same cuts all over the grass flats. This is why they asked for the legislation. Anyway, here it is and if I lived there I would fully support it and would help pass it here if it was proposed.

The Bill SB 1854 by Lucio

79R10334 KCR-D

By: Lucio S.B. No. 1854



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the boundaries of and prohibited acts in the Nine-Mile Hole State Scientific Area; providing a penalty. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 82, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 82. STATUTORY SANCTUARIES, SCIENTIFIC AREAS, AND PRESERVES SECTION 2. Chapter 82, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by adding Subchapter P to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER P. NINE-MILE HOLE STATE SCIENTIFIC AREA Sec. 82.781. CREATION; BOUNDARIES. (a) The Nine-Mile Hole State Scientific Area, as described by Subsection (b), is a state scientific area established under Subchapter F, Chapter 81. (b) The boundaries of Nine-Mile Hole State Scientific Area are: (1) N 27 10.451; W 097 25.82 (North boundary of Nine-Mile Hole); (2) N 27 04.587; W 097 25.28 (Padre Island National Seashore Boundary); (3) N 27 06.109; W 097 25.21 (Padre Island National Seashore Boundary); (4) N 27 08.835; W 097 26.29 (Roloff Channel Entrance); (5) N 27 06.109; W 097 26.49 (201 Channel Entrance); and (6) N 27 05.132; W 097 25.90 (Nine-Mile Hole Channel Entrance). Sec. 82.782. PROHIBITED ACTS. (a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (c), a person may not: (1) operate an airboat, a jet-boat, or any propeller-driven vessel in the Nine-Mile Hole State Scientific Area; or (2) move, remove, deface, alter, or destroy: (A) an informational sign, including a depth marker, placed by the department in the Nine-Mile Hole State Scientific Area; or (B) a boundary marker of the Nine-Mile Hole State Scientific Area. (b) A person in the Nine-Mile Hole State Scientific Area may: (1) operate a vessel propelled by an electric trolling motor; (2) operate an airboat, a jet-boat, or any propeller-driven vessel in lanes of entrance and exit marked by the department; or (3) engage in an act prohibited by Subsection (a) if the act: (A) is necessary for law enforcement activities; or (B) complies with Section 81.504. (c) Subsection (a) does not apply to a person in an emergency threatening human health and safety that necessitates immediate entrance to or exit from the Nine-Mile Hole State Scientific Area. Sec. 82.783. PENALTY. A person who violates Section 82.782 commits an offense that is a Class C Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor, except that a person who violates Section 82.782 and has previously been convicted of violating that section commits an offense that is a Class B Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor. Sec. 82.784. GIFTS, GRANTS, DONATIONS, AND OTHER ASSISTANCE. The department may apply for, request, solicit, contract for, and accept gifts, grants, donations, or other assistance from any source to implement and enforce this subchapter. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect July 1, 2005, if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for effect on that date, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.



Fishamjib -- Yes I can't spell. there is an area that is basically 9 miles wide that you can't have your gas motor on. They, the CCA, had legislation passed whiched put a ban on the entire area with the exception of the channels. You can drift, pole or use a trolling motor but you can not power across the flat. They did this for five years with a review at the end for impact. Those five years are up at the end of summer and there is a fight to re-open the hole to motors. It's very political down there as it would be anywhere.

[Cory ruthless Routh]

Texas is awesome, I have been down three time in the last year. Port Aransis, Port O'Connor, and Going to Galveston in two weeks. I cant wait.

[Fishamajig]

Jeff,

Just bustin' your balls, people misuse that word all the time.

I like the whole concept of a motor ban, I would like to see one at the RIPS, Cedar Point and a few other places. I am a firm belevr in stealth which is why my boat has an electric motor mounted on the bow.

I envy you, wish I had been there !