Anglers continue to enjoy quality catches

By Vince Stiglich Jr.
Correspondent

Published March 14, 2006

Although he likely didn’t know it at the time, Cypress angler Jeff Jacob gave a significant lesson on how to submit a fishing report, or at least a comprehensive one.

Not only did he state the overall number of fish he caught along with standard fare items such as locality, bait/technique, size of fish, water depth and time of day the action took place, but he offered one more piece of information that is rarely given by the average caller.

He mentioned the water temperature of the spot he fished, and at this time of year, that is important.

On Saturday, Jacob ventured to the Green’s Lake area of West Bay, and from 9 a.m. to noon he decked five speckled trout to 20 inches, two slot (keeper) redfish to 26 inches, a handful of smaller reds that he set free, and two puppy drum. The Cypress angler also stated that he fished in roughly 3 feet of water and used live shrimp under popping corks for the action.

As for one of the most important details, Jacob said that the water temperature was a promising 71 F, and he determined that with the help of a depth finder on his boat.

“I expect the fishing to really pick up as the water temperature rises,” Jacob added.

In another call, Rick Palmer also submitted a solid report from Green’s Lake, and with the help of Keith Blalock caught seven redfish (three retained), one speckled trout and several other specks that were set free. The action was on live shrimp fished under popping corks and the twosome drifted the area.

Vicki Pike of Fat Boy’s Bait Camp at Jones Lake said that Ronnie Hudnall and David Lewis caught three drum, three redfish and some sand trout and specks in West Bay and under the Causeway. The action was on live shrimp.

And finally, beachfront anglers caught some whiting, drum and sharks.

In tournament news, the Sand Dollar Autoplex Open SpeckTacular Series event was held on March 11, and the three-trout main division winners are as follows (all weights are listed in pounds and ounces):

• First place: John Havens and Eric Renteria (17.6 pounds)

• Second place: Dan Williamson and Ari Schwartz (13.1 pounds)

• Third place: Steve Hoyland Sr. and Steve Howland Jr. (11.5 pounds)

• Fourth place: Leon Napoli (10.15 pounds)

• Fifth place: Paul Cartmill and Tony Kashinski (10.10 pounds)

• Sixth place: Bob Johnson and Vince Augustine (10.5 pounds)

• Seventh place: Paul Mitchell and Josh Upshaw (10.4 pounds)

• Eighth place: John Wingate and Sal Bautista (9.3 pounds)

• Ninth place: Gordon Howard and Loell Ernst (8.13 pounds)

• 10th place: Nathan Kerr and Tim Lopas (8.6 pounds)

The SpeckTacular Kayak Series was also held with the Sand Dollar event, and the winners of the two-redfish main event are as follows:

• First place: Larry “Mack” McAfee (9.1 pounds)

• Second place: Clint and Cameron Barghi (8.10 pounds)

• Third place: Vincent Rinando and Filip Spencer (5.9 pounds).

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To get your catch in the Reel Report, phone Stiglich at (409) 683-5273. There’s no charge for this service.