I have seen this come up often on forums and had people ask me.. well, let me tell you that with good shot placement and a good bullet it works VERY well. I have shot numerous pigs and deer within what I would call “bow range” of 30 yards.. All went down fast and hard. My pistol is a Dan Wesson Valor shooting primarily Hornady Crticial Duty 220g +P. I had it fitted with a threaded factory barrel by my friends over at STI Guns in Georgetown. I installed a set of aftermarket suppressor sights from Novak. I run a Rugged Obsidian can.
With a break in the weather and slightly warmer temps and below normal tides, we were able to find some fish concentrated. These fish were holding around drop offs with shallow grass flats close by. The topwater bite was aggressive for about an hour in the mornings, then softdine XL’s in green and green/black did the trick.
Although it was not the big fish we were hoping for, who can complainmuch about catching 4-5# trout. With the water temps getting to were they need to be in order to trigger these big fish, I have high expectations for this winter’s fishing.
Been a weather battle this week in Port Mansfield so far. Monday we had favorable winds early and had a couple big trout slip away. The cold front seemed to halt everything but the redfish bite for a couple days. Throwing soft plastics rigged weedless seemed to be the best. DSL’s dirty tequila, white ice, and magic grass were the top baits.
Today has been a slow warm up in water and air temps. The bite was on at sunrise and throwing Softdine XL’s in green/black and Texas chicken we had trout to 22” and one 5 pounder showed up to play. More redfish than you could shake a stick at.
With our weather pattern gradually getting warmer over the next few days, we are hopeful that the big trout we have seen will start to eat. Nothin’ to complain about being in Mansfield, and we know the bigs will start to become aggressive.
Fun day sight casting reds. These boys caught the weather just right. Coupled with the drop in tide and an aggressive feed. We were fortunate enough to find an area holding reds all day.
Working flats surrounding creeks was the ticket, and our DSL watermelon, red/white and 20# FINS Windtamer Braid was getting it done!
Check out our videos from today on
N&M Sportsman’s Adventures FB page.
Group #3 of days 5 and 6 wanted to battle bull reds and flounder gig on their trips. It wasn’t exactly calm at the jetties over the two days, and the wind gave them fits last night. But, they managed to battle reds up to 45” and stick a few flounder.
This capped off a very fun 6 day saltwater experience. I look forward to the next 11 years with this crew.
Group #2 of days 3 and 4 had a pretty good go at wade fishing.
Yesterday we started in the dark fishing over sand/grass hoping the moon would bring us a couple of big fish. Biggest fish we had was 23”. We left that and found solid trout and redfish on oyster reefs in SA bay. The bait of choice was DSL’s blue moon. Fish were holding in 2-3ft of water under a raft of mullet.
Today we were met with a 3 hour rain delay. After watching the lightning crack over the bay, we knew it could be tough, but had to go try. We walked knee to thigh deep sand pockets throwing chicken of the c, plum, and blue moon. Ended up with a handful of dink trout, one solid trout that thumped it on the end of my cast, but had some nice keeper reds for our effort.
Over to the POC jetties the next couple days to battle big reds.
This year marks 11 years this group has been fishing with us. This year they are on a 8 event, 6 day trip trading out between family and friends.
These boys elected to flounder with Rick Hammond, Night Stalker Guide Service a couple nights between trips.
Sight Casting yesterday until mid morning was tough with the cloud bank that rolled in a day break. After it cleared we did manage to find the reds layed up in some creeks adjacent to shallow flats. Had a handful of fish cooperate before the feed shut off, and the others acted like we weren’t even there. The fish we did trick were on DSL watermelon and red/white with a 1/4oz jig head.
We spent today at the POC jetties. This was why the booked all them years ago. So to keep up with tradition each year, we make sure at least one day is marked to go out there and battle the big girls. Bulls from 40-47” is what they were rewarded with.
Hopefully they will be rewarded with some good trout and redfish action tomorrow wade fishing.
TPWD Taking Public Comment on Proposed Regulation Changes for Trotlines and Other Related Gears
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the regulations on passive fishing gear (jug lines, minnow traps, perch traps, throwlines, and trotlines), which includes adding requirements and specifications for floats and reducing the valid period for gear tags to reduce the negative impacts of abandoned passive fishing gear in Texas public waters.
“Abandoned passive fishing gear is not easily identified and can harm fish and wildlife resources and present a nuisance and safety hazard to recreational users of public water bodies,” said Jarret Barker, TPWD Assistant Commander for Marine Enforcement. “These proposed changes would aid in identifying and monitoring lawful passive fishing gear and help facilitate the removal of abandoned gear.”
The proposed changes would require that passive fishing gear have properly marked gear tags and floats attached to aid in distinguishing active fishing gear from abandoned fishing gear and litter. These changes include adding a customer number from a valid fishing license on the gear tag and marking all passive fishing gear with floats that are at least 6 inches in length and not less than 3 inches in width. Floats for recreational anglers can be any color other than orange. Commercial fishing license holders will be required to use orange-colored floats.
The changes would also reduce the period of validity for a gear tag from 10 days to four days to shorten the fishing time between angler inspections of their gear. Scientific investigations conducted by the department show that fish mortalities as a result of “ghost fishing” (the continuing of effect of unattended passive gears) can increase after four days. Such devices can continue to fish and represent a danger to fish and other aquatic organisms when they are abandoned. Requiring the gear tag and the accompanying gear to be checked more frequently than 10 days should reduce those unintended mortalities.
Additionally, the removal of abandoned fishing gear will have the additional benefit of reducing threats to human health and safety.
The proposed regulation changes will be available for review in the September 27 edition of the Texas Register. The public comment period is open through Nov. 7, when the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will meet to vote on adopting these changes.
Comments on the proposed changes may be submitted to Jarret Barker by phone (512) 389-4853 or email jarret.barker. Comments also may be submitted via the department’s website at https://www.tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/public_comment/ or in person during the TPW Commission meeting Nov. 7 at 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744.
