fishing Archives - Texas Outdoors Network

Get Hooked on Kayak Fishing: A Beginner’s Guide

Kayak fishing has grown in popularity significantly over the past decade, and it has even been called the sport of the future because of its accessibility to anglers of all ages and physical abilities. That said, there are some important things you should know before you jump in your kayak and start fishing without any experience at all! Whether you’re just starting out with kayak fishing or have been on the water for years already, these tips will help you get hooked (pun intended!) on this great sport!

If you want to go fishing, but don’t own a boat…
If you want to go fishing, but don’t own a boat, kayaks are the perfect solution. You’ll be able to explore the water and find new fishing spots that are only accessible by water. With a kayak, you can also travel long distances without tiring out your feet or back. It’s an amazing way to get out on the water for a day of fishing fun!

If you do own a boat, but still want the kayak fishing experience…
If you already own a boat and want to get the kayak fishing experience, there are two ways that it can be done. The first is by having a kayak on your boat. For example, some people will mount their kayaks on top of their boats or have them strapped onto the side with special racks. The other way is to attach a tow rope to your boat and then attach the other end to your kayak.

Bennett SLT10 Self-Leveling Tab System Review

We added a pair of Bennett self-leveling 10″ trim tabs to our Gulf Coast Classic 18 and could not be more pleased with the performance! One of the best investments ever at only $123. They have made a dramatic improvement in our hole shot while fishing the flats.

Like most boats, our Gulf Coast will run on plane shallower than its draft. That frequently leads to a bit of apprehension as we slow to a stop – will we still be floating? Kind of tough to gauge the depth at speed when you can clearly see the bottom is only about a foot deep. The follow up question is, can we get out of here?

Our Gulf Coast tends to squat quite a bit as it takes off. We raise the jack plate all the way up, trim the motor in tight, and punch it. This immediately causes the bow to rise, the stern to sink, and the motor digs into the bottom. Sometimes we can get out by easing off the throttle, and then trying to surf the follow up wave. That extra 2″ of lift can make all the difference. Other times, we can “spin” or “snake” our way onto plane. Sadly, other times we are forced to idle out a ways before we can get up.

Amazingly, the Bennett tabs have proven to be a revelation. It took a while to mount the starboard tab because we debated endlessly where to place it. In reality, there was only one good spot but it is crazy how you go down the rabbit hole of moving it 1/8″ one way or another. Probably spent an hour on the starboard tab and five minutes on the port tab. A cordless drill, screwdriver, and 3M 4200 is all you need.

First trip out we were coming out of the marina and I goosed it. I wasn’t entirely impressed by any improvement to be honest but I chalked it up to being in the deeper water. Second test, we were in about knee deep water, and again I wasn’t that impressed. It seemed like the prop was catching lots of air and the hole shot was so-so. Jack plate all the way up, motor trimmed in tight, same as always. To be fair, the bow rise was greatly reduced but we were kind of sluggish taking off.

Third test, knee deep water or shallower, but this time I bumped the jack plate down just slightly. Like a half-second bump, maybe lowered the motor less than an inch. Hit WOT and wow! The boat jumped up and forward like out of a slingshot! Stayed flat, bow flat, stern didn’t squat, and it just leaped onto plane. Amazing difference. I found the sweet spot for our rig.

My brother took the wheel and experienced the same sensation. Night and day improvement in hole shot performance.

The Bennett SLT10 Self-Leveling Tab System is highly approved!

Seadrift, TX. Wade Fishing

This is what it’s about right here. These 11 and 12 year old buddies say they’ve been fishing together since they were 5 and 6.

Imagine what kind of sticks they will be in 20 years. Their lure selection, knots, retrieves and simple handling of fish was impressive to watch.

Today we had trout up to 22” and was in fish most of the morning. Thigh to crotch deep on the grown ups over grass was the ticket. Our main colors were plum/chart, and purple reign. Even managed a couple on topwaters mid morning.

All our fish were realeased in good shape to fight another day.

Capt. Nathan Beabout

Cell:(210)452-9680

nmsportsmansadventures.com

Capt. Nathan Beabout

Cell: (210) 452-9680

N&M Sportsman’s Adventures

nmsportsmansadventures.com

AB Kennels

abkennels.com

DSL did it again

The last couple of days have started off strong with good bites from 6-9:30am. Then after that it fizzles to a one per wade kind of day.

The moon showed good feeds early then again late afternoon, just hard to believe it falls off that hard mid day. But, we’ll take what we can get and enjoy the rest.

Our best bites have come on DSL’s candy apple, watermelon, and natural. Did manage to catch one good trout on a plum nasty Double D that slipped out of my hands as I was trying to snap a pic.

Like the bait, fish have been holding up in knee to thigh deep water over shell, and also sand/grass.

Give us a shout for availability in June-August. Whether it’s wading or sight casting, we got you fishing adventure covered!

Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell:(210)452-9680
nmsportsmansadventures.com

Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell: (210) 452-9680
N&M Sportsman’s Adventures
nmsportsmansadventures.com
AB Kennels
abkennels.com

Bull Reds and Trout

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.

Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell:(210)452-9680
nmsportsmansadventures.com

Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell: (210) 452-9680
N&M Sportsman’s Adventures
nmsportsmansadventures.com
AB Kennels
abkennels.com

Capt. Beabout Seadrift

We had a good time this morning chasing solid trout up to 24”. It was slow at first light with calm winds, but as the morning went on the wind picked up to a steady 10-12mph ESE.

With water still high most all our fish were found within 40 yards of the bank. Had a few fish slap the topwater, but what they couldn’t turn down was soft plastics. DSL chicken of the c, and Bass Assassin electric shad did the trick.

Give us a call to get in on this late summer/early fall action.

Capt. Nathan Beabout

Cell(210)452-9680

nmsportsmansadventures.com

Top water trout!

Despite dodging a few much needed rain showers, the topwater bite was great. Both trout and reds crushed it walking over knee to thigh deep sand pockets.

Once the wind laid between storms we, switched to DSL strawberry wine and Mirrodines. Walking thigh deep to waist deep we had a good mix of trout from 16-25”, redfish were 22-24”.

Capt. Nathan Beabout

Cell:(210)452-9680

nmsportsmansadventures.com

Capt. Nathan Beabout Report

Fun day on the water with this group. Had a good bite early, then as the sun climbed high it tapered off. Trout were caught a variety of baits today. DSL strawberry wine, Double D’s, and Mirrolures.

Most of our fish were caught over crotch deep sand pockets, we managed a few over knee deep grass beds. Good times and lots of good fishing stories were exchanged. Can’t wait to see this crew again.

Capt. Nathan Beabout

Cell:(210)452-9680

nmsportsmansadventures.com

Ladies Fishing the Texas Coast

Girls can too! Lots of fun on this evening trip. These ladies were on ‘em before sunset until the storm ran us off.

We waded crotch to waist deep sand pockets throwing DSL strawberry wine. Lots of trout 16-18”, and a few that slipped away. Good times had by all! Thanks Brett and Carrie Garmany Mauthe for a fun evening.

Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell:(210)452-9680
nmsportsmansadventures.com

Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell: (210) 452-9680
N&M Sportsman’s Adventures
nmsportsmansadventures.com
AB Kennels
abkennels.com

Capt. Nathan Beabout

Happy Father’s Day! I spent the day with a father son team wanting to learn summertime artificial tactics. With the wind conditions today it was a little tough, but we managed to find some trout green water mid morning and a had a 30-45 minute window with good solid bites.

After the nasty water moved in we spent the remainder of the day walking sandbars sight casting to reds and bigger trout. Fish were very spooky today.

July/August usually host more days of calmer winds, perfect for wade fishing or some great times sight casting reds in the miles of marsh around Seadrift, TX. Give me a call to book a trip before school and all the sports kick off again.

Capt. Nathan Beabout
Cell:(210)452-9680
nmsportsmansadventures.com

Capt. Nathan Beabout

Cell: (210) 452-9680

N&M Sportsman’s Adventures

nmsportsmansadventures.com

AB Kennels

abkennels.com

Seadrift Fishing Report

Great day one with this North Texas family. Took us a bit to find a consistant bite, and when we did it was all smiles.

Crotch to waist deep grass beds with rafts of bait, throwing DSL’s Victorious Secret and Strawberry Wine did the trick.

The North wind was giving us trouble on day two, not many bites on the trout. But, did manage to have a customer land his PB on a DSL strawberry wine, Fins Braid 20# windtamer, and a 7’6” Waterloo salinity. The trout was 25”@4.25#, she was caught fishing a windward bank over thigh deep grass beds. This fish was released to fight another day.

The boys also had a couple of PB reds, Cannon with his first ever red on day one at 27.75”@8#, and Kyler with a brute at 31”@9.50# on day two. Both reds were fooled by Down South Lures victorious secret.

Seadrift Fishing Report

Great day of fishing

Fun day with a good group of repeat customers. Wind started off light enough to wade some oyster shell where we found 16-18” trout holding in waist deep water. DSL plum/chart and victorious secret worked best.

Then we shifted gears and switched baits to watermelon and topwaters in search of shoreline redfish. For now our water levels are near normal, and fish patterns are more predictable.

We still have july/August dates available, give us a call!

Capt. Nathan Beabout

Cell:(210)452-9680

nmsportsmansadventures.com