Just like to let the folks down in San Bernard Tx. we appreciate all the hard work you have done on getting the San Bernard River opened up. I talked to Darrel ( my uncle ) today. He gave me the good  news about the Corp. of Engineers have started the work on dredging the mouth of the San Bernard River. I can hardly wait ( I think I will treat myself to a new fishing rod just to celebrate ) for my next fishing trip. I bet you can guess my destination ! I am l am located in Cibolo Tx. just out side of San Antonio Tx. so it is not a bad drive for such a good place to fish.

Over the years the San Bernard River mouth has silted in and shifted south, making it difficult for boats going out to the Gulf of Mexico and in my opinion hurt the fishing in the area as well as the economy. I predict the opening of the mouth of the San Bernard River will help both.

The San Bernard River project should be open by the end of February 2009 if all goes well.

Here are some pictures of the on going project. You can find more pic's and info about San Bernard and the San Bernard Rive at Friends of the River San Bernard

San Bernard River Dredged

San Bernard River

Technorati Tags: Dredging, Fishing, Fishing rod, Gulf of Mexico, Recreation, San Antonio, San Bernard River

Off The Ground Cast

Fishing-Tales thanks Don for his fishing tip. Don and I go back many years and have fished together many time. But just remember this Don I taught you that long distance cast and one of these days I will tell the rest of the fishing-tales that go along with that fishing trip.

We were at the Padre Island National Seashore on a late beautiful October day with the beach nearly two ourselves.  As we headed south along the beach about 20 miles I took note of something odd.  I saw breaking water about 1/2 mile past the surf that.  The disturbed water was maybe 1/4 mile in length.  I stopped and with my binoculars I could see dolphin near the edges of the disturbance.  As I observed the area I noted it was moving slowly in a northerly direction.  I also realized that the cause of all this commotion was Jack Cravalle preparing for their migration.  They were feeding, stocking up for their long journey. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: Fishing, Fishing Tackle, Fishing Tales, Fishing Tips, fishing trips, long distance casting, off the ground cast, Padre Island National Seashore

Image via Wikipedia

Fishing-Tales with some surf fishing tips, no fishing tales, no fishing stories just fishing.

Most everybody from this part of the world has at least heard fishing stories about Big Shell. If you haven't, you are probably wondering "what the heck is Big Shell?"
Big Shell is generally considered by many to be anywhere in the 4 wheel drive area of Padre Island National Seashore. But in actuality Big Shell is along the area of beach starting from about the 30 mile marker at Padre Island National Seashore and continuing approximately. 5 Miles south towards the pass at Port Mansfield. Big Shell got its name from the abundance of large pieces of broken shell that wash up out of the sand the area. Little Shell is an area at about the 25 mile marker, and got it's name because of the shell along this high bank area is crushed into smaller pieces.

The Big Deal about Big Shell? Big Shell is a much steeper beach then Mustang Island and the water gets deep very quickly - up to 10 feet deep within 5 yards of shore. From time to time the "Blue Water" will come within casting distance of the shore, which can bring in a variety of normally offshore species of fish within the reach of the shore fisherman, including sharks up to 12 feet in length, mako sharks and other traditionally blue water species.

What kind of rig do you need to reach big shell?

Having a 4 Wheel Drive may not be enough to get you to Big Shell! Depending on the wind, traffic, and other factors, the sand at big shell can either be nice and packed or as soft as powder.

Don't even think about taking a 2WD down there! Yes it has been done before. In good conditions you may do it without a problem. But you've got to have more than a little luck to  get there and back, and if the conditions change and you get stuck you will cause some kind hearted angler lost fishing time as well as wear and tear on his/her vehicle if they stop to help you. If nothing else, have a little consideration.

One of the most important things your Big Shell 4 wheeler rig should have is clearance between the frame and the sand. many mid-size and compact 4WD Sport Utility Vehicles just do not have the clearance to keep the skid plates and cross members out of the sand. Their have been days, I've seen the ruts get close to 2 ft. deep. Their is not much you can about your differentials, but if you don't have enough of a lift to keep your frame and skid plates out of the sand, you will get into trouble quickly.
The next thing you should take into consideration is the condition of your ride. If there is anything that can come loose- it will! This is a rough terrain, with lots of ruts and washouts and all kinds of debris. Be sure you're rig is ready for this fishing trip. Tighten any bolt that has a habit of coming loose before you leave home- including lug nuts! Double check your battery tray, if it is weak or your battery is not secured, it will come loose.
The next thing you should consider is fuel. If you're heading to the 50 mile marker- you're looking at close to 140 miles with no gas, and we're talking  about heavy driving in 4WD most of the time. You should not underestimate the gas it will take to make it back. Plan on taking some extra 5 gallon gas cans, along and top off at the last gas station. If you have an auxiliary tank, be sure to use it!

Driving Tips for Big Shell "Newbies"!
If you have lock in hubs, lock them in before you think you need them. I like to lock them in as soon as I get on the beach just so I don't forget.
Keep your speed up when driving in soft sand or shell. Don't let your vehicle slow down.
By all means wear your seat belt, it will help you keep control of your vehicle - and keep your head from denting the roof.

Watch for debris in your path! There are boards, sticks, barrels and all manner of things that can perforate a tire. This is a good reason for following the tracks of other vehicles in front of you. It would be smart not to drive in or out at night.

What you should take alone.

A shovel is always a good idea to have with you.

A good tow rope not one of the cheap ones.
Take plenty of water. Take 2 or 3 5 Gallon cans of water, you can't really have to much, and it makes a big difference in comfort to rinse off with fresh water when you're ready to head back, or to rinse off periodically just to get the sand and salt residue off.
Food is pretty well common sense. Try to think of everything you will need, as sometimes the difference between camping in style and being miserable is something you forgot to bring.The only other thing to keep in mind is that there are a heck of a lot of coyotes down there. While they have been no danger to humans, those coyotes will get to your food in a hurry if you leave your food cooler on the ground when you go to sleep! I have had them come into camp and drink water so you might be careful about leaving water out as well.
Their is no such thing as too much ice either. No matter how much you have it never seems to be enough. So take more than you think you would ever need. Take cube ice for icing drinks, and block ice for keeping your catch and your food cold. The block ice will make a huge difference in keeping your cooler cool for days.

Fishing-Tales Editor: If you have fishing tales, fishing stories or fishing tips you would like to see posted here at fishing-tales please feel free to submit them. I am always looking for fishing articles.

Technorati Tags: Big Shell, fishing stories, Fishing Tales, Fishing Tips, fishing trips, Padre Island National Seashore, Surf Fishing

It’s a stunning summers morning. Three guys are fishing
Guy One:
“You have no idea what I had to promise the mrs to be here.
I’m painting BOTH the kids rooms next weekend.”
Guy Two:
“That’s nothing I’m weeding the garden, BEFORE I reorganise her mother’s garage”.
Guys One and Two:
“What did you have to promise”?
Guy Three:
“Suckers, I just set the alarm for 5am when it went off I gave her a nudge and asked her Frolicking or Fishing?
She said ‘Wear a hat it’s cold out there’”.

Being able to watch your fishing shows Online-TV my be of help to some of you.

Fishing-Tales Editor: If you have fishing tales, fishing stories or fishing tips you would like to see posted here at fishing-tales please feel free to submit them. I am always looking for fishing articles.

Technorati Tags: Fishing, Fishing Jokes, fishing stories, fishing story, Fishing Tales

Image via Wikipedia

Fishing-Tales I hope you publish this fishing story, so I can say I had at least one fishing article published.

I travel on occasion, around the southwest, to collect information for article I write. The articles I write about business and industry are often published in magazines and other publications that publish that sort of thing because I have a reputation for being precise and accurate. Even about the bizarre and unusual. It's important to have that kind of reputation.

I also write articles about fishing but none have been published as of yet. Some Editors say, "Too unbelievable," but I can't help that. Good articles, even about business and industry, are unbelievable to some people. My fishing-tales are still for sale. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: Fishing lure, Fishing rod, fishing stories, fishing story, Fishing Tales, Outdoors, Recreation