The Future of this Sport called Fishing!

Recently I had the privilege of meeting an individual who's excitement and enthusiasm about what he was involved in was epidemic in the way it caught my attention. Shane Wilson resides on South Padre Island, teaches for the Point Isabel I.S.D., and is the founder of Fishings Future. Shane and I spent the better part of a morning in his office as he related the history and purpose behind this organization.

"In 2004 the first KIDS FISH CAMP™ was conducted to get kids and parents together outdoors. Today, Fishing's Future is more committed to achieving this goal than ever before. After six years of conducting KIDS FISH CAMP™ and witnessing the profound changes in families, behaviors and environmental responsibility, through unique concepts like; parental inclusion, Leave-No-Trace philosophy, and environmental awareness, Fishing's Future is growing and getting national recognition.
In 2007, Fishing’s Future was granted 501 c(3) non-profit status, and began an ambitious national initiative to draw children ages 6-13 outdoors - to show them what they have been missing, and at the same time create bonds between children, parents and our natural environment.
Fishing's Future conducts KIDS FISH CAMP™ sharing the joys of fishing to new communities and kids in all areas. A KIDS FISH CAMP™ is a full day of education, fun, and excitement where Jr. Anglers and their parents learn the skills, knots, methods, rules, and techniques necessary to fish independently and then immediately apply those newly learned skills fishing during the last part of the KIDS FISH CAMP™.
Fishing’s Future also conducts Kids Fly Fishing Camps™, Kids Kayaking Camps™ and holds Jr. Angler Fishing Tournaments.
Fishing’s Future, now entering its seventh year, will keep its sights set on the original initiative of changing the recreational habits of millions of kids across America – city by city, region by region, state by state."

I plan on trying hard to get involved fully this year with this organization and I know Robert has also expressed a desire for Livingston Lures to take an active part in this endeavor. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, you can get more info at http://www.fishingsfuture.com/

HAPPY NEW YEAR and Tight lines in 2011!


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Winter Fishing

If the weather stays mild into January and February, we are going to have one great bout of winter fishing in the LLM. So far the fish are still plentiful and willing to hit. There appears to be a vast number of small summer hatched trout in the deeper part of the LLM. We have found numerous small ( 10-12") trout under vast flocks of birds. These should be close to keeper size by summer.
The redfish are still plentiful on the White Sands area. Topwaters seem to work all day, as do spoons. The top producer is still Gulp under a popping cork. Good numers of solid 17-20" trout are being taken by drifters on Gas Well Flats and north. Lots of fish are still in Rattlesnake, but watch the tides. Rattlesnake can get real shallow. One of my favorite fishing holes in the Holly Beach area is still producing some good size reds and black drum. Mangrove snapper are plentiful in the Brownsville channel. If you can get your hands on live mullet or piggys, take some heavy gear, perferrably 40 -50 lb PowerPro, a good stiff rod, and drop the live baits around the numerous docks, platforms, and rubble in the upper end of the Brownsville turning basin.
Another sure bet for some great redfish is St. Martin lake. You can only fish this vast oyster bed by a small aluminum boat or kayak. Explore it at a low tide in order to locate the channel and all the oyster beds. Then hit it on a strong incoming tide. If it doesn't get cold the big snook should still be around also. Lots of black drum on shrimp or Gulp!