Author: Mike Coker

  • Port O’Connor Redfish

    Port O’Connor Redfish

    We made a weekend trip to Port O’Connor post cold front. For our part, the fishing was fairly slow with bait hard to find. Perhaps we didn’t hit all the right spots but we ended up scratching out a few fish. Interestingly, all of my reds were caught on top-water! Always a blast watching the…

  • Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Review

    Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Review

    The Jackery Solar Generator 1500 is a great choice for both work and play. Living on the Gulf Coast has taught me the importance of having backup power for when the electrical grid gets knocked out by a hurricane (or freak ice storm!). Jackery is a leader in clean, green, portable power solutions and their…

  • Green LED light bar for hunting vehicle

    Green LED light bar for hunting vehicle

    It frequently amazes me that hunters often feel the need to light up the woods as if it were daylight. I am the complete opposite in that I want just enough light to safely drive from camp to hunting area with minimal disruption. When driving my F-150 I turn off all of the lights other…

  • Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Review

    Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Review

    Be prepared for the next weather event with the Jackery Solar Generator 1000. The polar vortex hit Texas in February 2021 with a vengeance, inflicting freezing cold temperatures that partially knocked out the power grid for days. We were without power in our residence for almost three days but some homes were offline for much…

  • Review:  J.B. Dillon Chambers Boots

    Review: J.B. Dillon Chambers Boots

    J.B. Dillon Chambers full quill ostrich boot review. Great boots at a fair price!

  • Trinity Oaks StarKids Saltwater Extravaganza

    Trinity Oaks StarKids Saltwater Extravaganza

    Trinity Oaks is a charitable organization dedicated to providing hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation activities to those in need or at risk. They offer up to 100 events per year to veterans, families with special needs, and underprivileged youth. One such event is the StarKids 2020 fishing trip to Port O’Connor. Six children who have…

  • Waterloo Salinity Rods

    Waterloo Salinity Rods

    The Waterloo Salinity is my favorite rod for fishing the mid-coast for speckled trout and redfish. It is a great combination of reasonable price and outstanding performance. The Waterloo shop is conveniently located in Victoria and offers a wide selection of rods, reels, and accessories. I currently run a Salinity 7’0″ spinning rod – Medium/Moderate…

  • Sad Day: Evinrude is Gone

    Sad Day: Evinrude is Gone

    Full Disclosure: My family was an Evinrude dealer for years. Although my allegiance has switched to Yamaha, I had many great days on the water powered by Evinrude and hate to see this latest development. Evinrude experienced bankruptcy with OMC only to rise from the ashes. Hopefully, they will return. Evinrude built the world’s first…

  • History of Portland Marine

    History of Portland Marine

    Portland Marine officially opened at the end of 1967 with a new building, which was quite an improvement over the rented three car garage which served as headquarters for the oilfield and charter boat service operated by Liz and Glen Coker for 11 years. The new 1200 sq. ft. building was split equally between showroom…

  • Seadrift trout in the wind

    Wind was howling but we managed to grind out a limit of trout. Landed a nice 25″ beast at first light.

  • Tecovas Boot Review “The Earl”

    Tecovas Boot Review “The Earl”

    As with any good Texan, I own and wear boots.  Through the years I have developed a fondness for Lucchese dress boots, Ariat work boots, and Wolverine hunting boots.  I was in the market for a new pair of brown ropers and started looking at the Lucchese boots and balked at the $400 – $600…

  • Leica Geovid 10×42 HD-B 3000 Review

    Leica Geovid 10×42 HD-B 3000 Review

    Leica has deservedly earned a reputation for superior optics. The new Leica Geovid 10×42 HD-B 3000 binoculars uphold that fine tradition. I have had the opportunity to carry these for twenty-plus days deer hunting in South Texas and have been impressed with their performance. My experience was primarily glassing for deer out to 500 yards.…