I’ll admit right up front that I’m not a kayak fishing sharpie. I do enjoy kayak fishing, but more commonly set out on one of my boats. Recently I was fishing near a kayak angling friend, and observed him using […]
Back-Trolling in a Kayak Read More »
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is now taking public comment on the following proposed changes to the 2021-2022 Statewide Recreational Fishing Proclamation: Allow the recreational-only use of crab traps on docks and piers in some currently restricted areas
TPWD Seeks Input On Saltwater Regulations Read More »
The Coastal Fisheries Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), with assistance from the Law Enforcement Division, continues to assess the fish kills along the Texas coast due to the recent winter weather. Freezing events along the Texas Coast are
What is TPWD Saying About Fish Kill? Read More »
Recognizing the extraordinary impact of the recent winter storm, the CCA Texas 2021 S.T.A.R. Tournament will feature a significantly revised format. The speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead and gafftop divisions have been removed entirely from this year’s tournament. The 2021 STAR
CCA Makes Big Changes To S.T.A.R. Read More »
USGS researchers are studying the growth and success of nursery-grown transplanted corals in the Florida Keys; research that might help this population of the threatened species rebound. Reefs there have experienced significant coral loss in recent decades from coral bleaching,
Study Aids Coral Restoration Read More »
The Texas freeze kill event of 2021 is still unfolding. While it began early last week, warming conditions have revealed more fish, sea turtle and other wildlife deaths along the coast. So far the hardest hit areas around Lower Laguna
Coastal Freeze Kill’s X-Factor Read More »
NOAA’s Nearshore Wave Prediction System (NWPS), which provides on-demand, high-resolution nearshore wave model guidance to U.S. coastal Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs), is undergoing significant upgrades today. As a part of this upgrade, the model will introduce the first-ever hourly probabilistic
NOAA Upgrades Wave Monitoring Read More »
Tarpon may not be the most common fish along the coast, but they could very well qualify as the most exciting catch for some anglers. How will you get ‘em? Fishing live baits, trolling plugs, and large jigs can all
The coral reefs of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary have thus far been free of coral disease. However, Florida’s coral reefs are currently experiencing a multi-year outbreak of a stony coral tissue loss disease that has now spread over 200 miles across
Divers Can Help Flower Gardens Read More »
The record-setting freeze event that struck Texas Sunday, has taken a dark turn along the coast as fish kills have been reported from Lower Laguna Madre to the Port O’Connor area. In his latest Higher Calling Gulf Coast podcast, Chester
TX Coastal Freeze Kill-Update & Interview Read More »
“It’s only gonna get worse. I found this approximately 36-inch tarpon floating in the marina harbor….very bad day for the neighborhood.” That Facebook post from Dean Thomas of Slow-ride Guide Services in Aransas Pass was the first evidence of fish
Report Freeze-Related Tarpon Deaths Read More »
NOAA Fisheries recently released economic impact figures caused by COVID-19 on the U.S. fishing and seafood industry, including wild harvest, aquaculture, and the recreational charter/for-hire sector. Most recreational charter operations were completely shut down in most coastal states beginning in
NOAA Documents COVID Fishing Impact Read More »
The worst blow to Texas coastal fisheries in modern history happened when major freezes hit the coast in the 1980s. Many coastal anglers are concerned we are getting a repeat right now. Listen to this special edition of Higher Calling
Trout Kill! Details On Coastal Kill Emerging Read More »
The historic cold front that has invaded Texas has frozen much of the coastal marsh, backwaters and shallow portions of bays along the coast. The biggest concern for fisheries managers is fish kills and reports are coming in to Texas
Fish Kills Reported-(Updated) Read More »
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has issued a temporary closure to saltwater fishing along parts of the Texas coast to protect resources during freezing weather conditions. The closure takes effect at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb.
Freeze: TPWD Closes Coastal Areas Read More »
The Christmas Bay Foundation will meet at 8am Saturday Feb. 20 at the Brazoria County Parks Seidler Boat Ramp to participate on the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Event. We will have several boats and
Crab Trap Removal Saturday at Christmas Bay Read More »
Bahamas Petroleum Company’s (BPC) offshore oil exploration, which began in December 2020, poses a greater threat to the US coastline habitat than previously suggested by the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment according to officials with the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. Standing
Could Drilling Impact Bonefish Habitat? Read More »
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a framework action to increase the lane snapper catch limits and modify the fishing season closure accountability measure. The most recent update assessment of lane snapper used catch and
Lane Snapper, Triggerfish Limits Changed Read More »
Recently, my landing net was turned into a tangled mess of bent aluminum and shredded mesh by a very angry 47-inch cobia that maybe, just maybe, we should have played out a bit longer before landing. Then a week later,
Choosing the Best Landing Net Read More »
The color chartreuse is a very common one in the world of fishing. Everyone’s probably heard the saying “if it ain’t chartreuse it ain’t no use,” and there’s no doubt that if you inspected the soft plastic jig tails in
Why Chartreuse Jigs Work Read More »
