The Saltwater Magazine for Gulf Coast Fishing!
SPRING 2005
	SPRING ISSUE 2005! (APR-JUN)	Sample of Fishing Forecast Page in PDF (On sale date 3/10/05) Subscribe Today!
FLOUNDER SCHOOL by Chester Moore, Jr. Secrets of the Roseau Cane Revealed   Do you want to catch more flounder?   That might seem like a silly question but I ask it because I am about to propose an idea that might seem unusual and perhaps unorthodox. It will however allow you to catch more flounder and that I guarantee.   For years, I have been writing about fishing along stands of Roseau cane where flounder move on high, falling tides to intercept baitfish hiding in the safety of its intricate rooting system.   All of that is still important but over the last few years, I have learned that Roseau cane plays an even more important role in the life of bay-dwelling flounder than I once believed and that anglers seeking flatfish can use Roseau cane to their advantage in ways never before explored at least in publication....     DOG RIVER by Mike Thompson Double down on trout and flounder this spring   For the past several years I have marked a date on my calendar in bold red ink. April 1st is a day I have promised to myself to be a fishing day, with only death or illness getting in the way.   Why such a fuss over a day on the calendar? Well, because over the last seven years the fish at the mouth of Dog River have been as reliable as the sun coming up in the morning. Sitting on Dog River in a boat on April Fool'sday won't result in a prank being pulled, but rather the line on your reel being pulled and stretched by the annual visitors.   Some of my fondest fishing memories have occurred on Dog River in April. From the fantastic days of fishing I experienced with a former fishing buddy who recently passed away, to the trips I've been on with another good friend who loves fishing as much as I do. Dog River in early spring is awesome!   PORT O'CONNOR on the FLY - by Robert Sloan Vast flats and marsh create a fly fisherman's paradise   It was just before daylight as we motored around a point and entered Mitchell's Cut in the Maverick flats boat. Guide Scott Graham was at the helm. Dallas angler Cody Bell and I were along for a chance at tailing reds early, then a shift to speckled trout later in the morning. Graham pulled back on the throttle, and the lightweight Maverick glided out of the cut and onto the very shallow flat.   "Right there, 60 yards," said Graham. "See 'em? A big pod of reds, maybe 50 or so with their tails sticking out of the water. Somebody get up front, we're about to hook up."   SPECK-OLOGY - by Pete Cooper, Jr. Pro insights on fishing the oil patch   Depending on one's perspective, coastal Louisiana was either blessed or cursed with numerous accumulations of petroleum, some quite large. Those have brought untold wealth to the state as well as to associated businesses and more than a few individuals. They have also caused the loss of many thousands of acres of coastal marshlands.   I have been deeply involved with both. Although a 25-year career in the oil field left me far from wealthy, it was very rewarding. The loss of the lush spartina marsh which was present across the levee from my home when I moved to the lower Delta in 1968 was much to the contrary. That loss was in great part the result of saltwater intrusion through man-made canals, many of which were created by the petroleum industry. But oil played another role in its socioeconomic impact of the area: it created some outstanding fishing opportunities. In inland waters some of the best of that involves specks.   Continuing this brief history lesson, at one time "flare fishing" at night was the rage, but by the late 1960's conservation measures had all but put an end to that often immensely productive opportunity. However, oil-field "structure" remains one of the best bets around; it's just that determining what parts of it should be targeted is not nearly as easy as locating a flare! Gulf Coast Closeup - "Matagorda, Texas" - by Kyle Tomek   The morning was bitter cold but the thoughts of decoying ducks and topwater blow-ups sent anxiety flowing through my veins. My anticipation grew more and more until we finally reached Cotton's Bayou.   After setting up the decoys, just seeing that incredible Matagorda sunrise was enough to send me home happy. But I was going to be sent home even happier. We began to see thousands of ducks flying in clouds all over the bay. Ducks began ambushing our spread of decoys like missiles. I had never seen that many ducks in my life. It was amazing to say the least.   After packing up the duck hunting gear and our limit of ducks, I was ready to see if we were going to be as victorious fishing. As I pulled the anchor, I looked up to see an enormous pelican plummeting into the water. Then three more decided to join him. It didn't take long before we were all wading the sandy humps directly out in front of where are decoys once were...       OUR DEPARTMENTS...   Rod & Reel'n Offshore - "AJ's and DJ's" - by Patrick Lemire   The Bay Naturalist - "Managing the Pasture" - by John Hook   Equipment Notebook - "Installing Courtesy Lights" - by David Ayers   Tackle Time - "Flying Flounder" - by Colby Sorrells   Bait Hook - "The Well Dressed Fisherman" - by Jim Martin     From the Publisher... Besides all these great articles and departments, Gulf Coast Fisherman is the only source for the Wells Daily Fishing Forecast. Each issue carries three months of the Wells Daily Fishing Forecast - with Monthly Fishing Calendars. This will provide what you need to intelligently plan your fishing trips - hours, weeks, and months in advance!   Top saltwater guides and fishermen use the Wells Daily Fishing Forecast - shouldn't you be using it ,too?...   "The fisherman that knows what the currents are doing has the advantage - over fish and fishermen!" And remember - "Fish feed everyday, somewhere " - Harold Wells   Gary Ralston Publisher   Home