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JULY 2010 FEATURED ARTICLES

THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS FOR

SUMMER FISHING SUCCESS

Article by Capt. Lanny Phillips

USCG Licensed - TPWD Certified

Visit: Tigernet Fish

Guide Service

CALL TODAY:

432-349-0353

Hello To Everyone! Usually on a Featured Article I would write about the fishing industry first and foremost. I am going to change things up a bit. I feel the prospective client would not only be interested in the fishing news, but would appreciate knowing more about the guide he, or she, is about to hire. With that being said here we go. I was born in Odessa, Texas and graduated from Odessa High School, have a degree from Odessa College, attended West Texas State, and Oklahoma University on baseball scholarships. For all the Longhorn Fans out there

I was interested in UT, but unfortunately they did not recruit me. In 1973 I was fortunate to have signed a Professional Baseball Contract with the Boston Red Sox Organization where I played for 4 years. I then signed a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers for two years. After my baseball career was over I went back to Odessa and became a Fireman for the Odessa Fire Department and retired April 2, 2002 as a Battalion Chief after 23 years. One week after my retirement I arrived at the Coast Guard Guide Class presented by the Sea Academy in Aransas Pass, Texas and on May 18th I was awarded my Master's Guide License. I have been a guide for 8 years and have fished these waters going on 25 years.

So now you know I am a retired Fireman/Professional Baseball Player that loves to fish and sometimes I actually get paid. I truly enjoy taking people out in my boat and with that being said here is the current fishing report. We will fish the flats, the drop offs, the wells, the reefs, and/or the surf. We will use lures, live, or dead bait by wading, or casting from the boat. During this time of the year we will go after Trout first thing in the morning when it is cool and around 10 to 11 o'clock we'll target Reds for the rest of the day. Occasionally we will find big schools of Black Drum, use shrimp, and limit out on them too. If a client has a certain preference he or she wants to target, then I need to receive the request at least by the night before if at all possible. Croakers are in abundance at this point of the summer and the Trout will usually attack them even if they are not hungry. One of the main tactics to remember when Trout fishing is they have a very soft mouth and you do not need to set the hook like on a bass, or a Red Fish. One only needs to lower your rod after "the bump" from straight up to pointed down to the water line, and then gently pull to the side. This tactic has a greater chance of hooking the fish rather than blasting the hookset from its mouth. Reds, on the other hand, have a very hard mouth and need to have their "eyes crossed" when setting the hook. We will use cut mullet, menhaden, and/or perch for the Reds in the potholes. Now having said all of this the tactics can change sometimes from hour to hour depending on what the wind, the barometric pressure, and the current is doing. It sounds like you need a laptop in the boat to know how to fish. No not really, but what you do need is an experience, professional fishing guide. Some say fishing is all about luck. I can not disagree with that statement, but for 22 to 25 years of being out there tells me what I need to try and when. I am not saying my way works all the time, but I have been fairly successful listening to my gut and experience. You can not successfully base hit Rick Sutcliffe, or Nolan Ryan, if you do not believe you will before you go to the plate and have the know how to do so before you get there. These two phenomenal pitchers will probably disagree with this "Hitter" if you know what I mean.

Lure fishing can prove to be a ball of fun if you just persist at your quest. There are clients that do not want to throw a lure all day long, but some do. These fisherman usually know what to do and when to do it. All I need is to tell them the lures, the colors of the day, and get them to the honey holes where we have been catching fish. If there are any questions you have on any of the above information please feel free to e-mail me. I will answer you as soon as I possibly can. Now I need to invite you, your friends, and your family to come fishing with me. I will do my very level best to give you the best day you have ever had on the water. Please give us a call, e-mail us, or check out our website. Remember you can not get a base hit unless you swing a bat and you can not catch a fish unless you go fishing. Have a great summer!!!

120% PURE FISHING EXCITEMENT

Capt. Lanny Phillips

USCG Licensed - TPWD Certified

Visit: Tigernet Fish Guide Service

CALL TODAY: 432-349-0353

CURRENT FISHING REPORT

July, the Heat is On...
Article by Capt. Brent Hopkins

USCG Licensed - TPWD Certified

Ph: 361-534-4007

July is the time to fish deep shell for trout and, for the most part, stay in the shallows for redfish. This month is one of the warmest of the year, and with heat, our fish (mainly trout) head for cooler climates. Typically during July our water temps are holding at or above 80 degrees here in the Coastal Bend. Trout head for the deepest, coolest water they can find, and this is where you should be concentrating your efforts. The "early bird definitely gets the worm" this time of year if it's trout your hoping to catch. There will still be some trout on our shorelines early in the mornings before it gets too hot, but the bulk of the fish will be staged out on the mid-bay reefs in 4-7 feet of water.

Another thing July typically kicks off is our surf fishing. Let me first warn those of you that have never fished the surf and are thinking about trying it in your owns boats: PLEASE hire a guide that will "show you the ropes" before venturing out there yourself. It's a different world out in the surf, and you can get into a lot of trouble in a hurry! Trust me, I've been there, seen that, and done that. The surf is not for the faint of heart sometimes.

The action in the surf can be fast and furious when the conditions are right for fishing. I normally start my fishing in the first gut closest to the beach. Trout and redfish will both be there early in the morning, but once the sun gets high - about 9 a.m., the trout will head for the second gut while the redfish will stay put, as they are partial to shallow water.

If it's redfish you're wanting to catch and the surf is not an option for you, look to the flats, shallow shell, back lakes, and shorelines for your fishing. You can even start your fishing late once most of the other fisherman have vacated the water. A lot of times the red fishing action can be fantastic in the afternoons during July. The heat and time of day makes no difference to reds, but try to concentrate your time and efforts on a falling tide. Redfish always bite better on a falling tide coupled with the higher winds associated with afternoon fishing.

These few simple methods of fishing during the heat of July have consistently been effective for me. Here's hoping you put a few more on your stringer this month!
Until next time, remember when the cards are down and the bet is called, you have your Ace in the Hole.

USCG Licensed

TPWD Certified

Ph: 361-534-4007

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FISHING REPORT