Boz’s Blog
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 They run in schools, but they don’t get nearly as large as their speckled cousins. They’re aggressive feeders, prone to feeding binges that will help an angler of any skill level collect a fair-sized freezer bag of fillets in very short order. Like speckled trout, they have onion-skin-thin mouths, and are pretty adept at throwing jigheads free when too much pressure is applied.
 People compare sand trout to speckled trout all the time, but there is really no reason to do so. The silvery little carnivores hold their own just fine; thank you.
 My brothers and I grew up fishing the Pelican Island and Galveston Jetty area with my dad, the late Bill Bozka, Sr. of Pearland. Dad knew what it took to keep kids interested in fishing … action, and lots of it.
 In turn, the hordes of sandies that occasionally roamed beneath the pilings of the Pelican Island obliged by providing us countless catches.
 What Cynoscion arenarius lacks in size, it makes up in quantity. (Just in case taxonomy is your thing, the speckled trout goes by the Latin moniker Cynoscion nebulosus.)
 The current state record stands at 6.25 pounds. I have seen, at the largest, sand trout that weighed almost half that much. Again, though, catching these prolific speedsters is not a matter of trophy-seeking, but instead one of sheer, productive fun.
 Sand trout fillets do not hold up well in the freezer, even when vacuum-packed. But for a family or neighborly fish fry, I’ll put fresh sand trout up against any fish that swims, especially when fried with a light coat of corn meal in a searing pan of peanut oil.
 On occasion… and when I am feeling particularly health-minded … I’ll take the fresh fillets, dredge them in olive oil, apply a moderate sprinkling of the ever-versatile Tony Cachere seasoning and drop them into a hot frying pan, leaving them on the stove just long enough to turn one side white, flip the fillet, and do the same with the other.
 That recipe, by the way, works equally well with not only speckled trout fillets, but also the fillets of virtually any edible fish. Using that process, I can have a trout cleaned, with an electric knife, in all of a minute (the sand trout is very easy to fillet, as like the speck, it does not have the large and much stouter bones of redfish, snapper and other like species).
 I rinse off the fillets, apply the olive oil, put them in the lightly-oiled pan … again, lightly seasoned (use whatever spice mix you prefer) … and have the fisherman’s version of

Read: The Feisty, Tasty Sand Trout is Well Worth a Cast »

This just in from Texas Parks & Wildlife Department staffer Tom Harvey … news on an event that over the years has gained tremendous, not to mention, international attention.

With the currently soaring popularity of bird watching, the Great Texas Birding Classic is now among the premier birding-related events on the planet. I recall being on an airplane around five years ago when I met a young man who was on his way to Houston from his home in Toronto.

The sole purpose of his journey? To compete in this hard-core conservation-conscious fundraising competition … and make no mistake, it is indeed a competition.

Throughout the past decade, and particularly during the past five years, I’ve literally focused a great deal of attention on photographing Gulf Coast shorebird species. I’ve carried my Nikkor 400mm into some pretty funky places to capture high-quality shorebird images, everywhere from national wildlife refuge marshlands to bay bottoms that hold nothing but mud for the first six inches. It’s always an adventure, albeit an exhausting one.

Anyone who considers birding a “girly” sport really needs to spend a few days hard on the trail of the Texas Coast’s avian residents. In terms of dedication and endurance, the pastime shares a great deal in common with duck hunting on coastal marshes.

If you’ve ever done that one, you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, trust me when I say that the typical coastal wetland habitat doesn’t exactly roll out a red carpet and crank up the air conditioning when you arrive. Nor does it automatically generate mosquito repellent.

If nothing else, an awareness of coastal shorebirds opens the eyes, and in a big way, to the myriad life forms that we so often ignore when our attention is solely focused on a shallow-water reef that promises to be quality speckled trout or redfish habitat.

Stop now and then to see the roses … well, actually, roseate spoonbills …. and you’ll quickly discover that our favorite shallow-water fishing haunts hold far, far more than the potential for bent trout rods and heavy stringers.

And then, if you are really serious, check out the following information on this year’s Great Texas Birding Classic
Close Encounters of the Bird Kind
Birding for conservation attracts the hard-core

AUSTIN, Texas — Spring is in the air, and so are birds migrating along the Texas coast. For 12 years, the Great Texas Birding Classic has capitalized on this natural phenomenon and turned it into a healthy competition to raise funds for avian habitat conservation projects.
For an entire week, people travel to Texas from across the U.S. to test their birding skills. Winning teams get to choose how prize money is spent, directing dollars to protect or restore coastal habitat that sustains birds and ecotourism. The Gulf Coast Bird Observatory partners with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and local communities to host the event.
“There is always something new, and this year we added an ‘Energy Saver’ category,” says Carol Jones with the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, tournament coordinator for the past four years. The new category rewards teams who can count the most bird species per mile, requiring they travel at least 50 miles.
The annual event involves adult and youth teams traveling through 41 Texas counties along the coast, spotting and recording as many bird species as they can. The winning teams in several tournament categories decide which pre-approved conservation projects will receive grant money. Last year, $73,000 was divided among seven projects for land acquisition, land restoration, or enhancements for birdwatchers.
“We attract hard-core birders, who travel extensively to see a single species, as well as casual birders who just want to have a good time with their friends while conserving nature,” says Shelly Plante, TPWD nature tourism coordinator.
No expertise is required to compete in the various tournaments, and there are special events for children and teenagers, the “conservationists of the future.” There is even an event called the “Big Sit,” a kind of tailgating party for birders, where teams see who can count the most birds in one location.
Jones expects nearly 350 participants this year, coming from all across the United States and Canada. This makes sense as Texas has “four of the top birding sites in the nation, three of them along the coast,” according to Plante.
To register for the 2008 Birding Classic, contact Jones at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory or visit the event Web site. Birding visitors can also visit the Great Texas Wildlife Trails map section for more information on the types of birds in Texas and where to see them.

On the Net:
http://www.birdingclassic.org/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/wildlife_trails/
 

Read: Great Texas Birding Classic Returns April 27-May 4 »

I’ll begin this with an up-front admission. The following post has nothing to do with fishing.
Although I receive it in voluminous quantities, and often get a real kick out of it, I’m not a
guy who tends to pass on a ton of jokes and humor stuff via e-mail. Our “In Boxes” are usually way
too full for that sort of thing, so I try to be selective.
 With that in mind, I nonetheless can’t resist sharing this anonymous Internet composition. It was shared with me by my close friend and video production partner Dave Aitken of Katy, Texas-based Aitken Productions.
 If you own, or ever have owned, a cat or dog, I suspect you will find it at least a bit amusing.
 Here’s hoping it puts a good-old Sunday-afternoon smile on your face.

Best to all,

Boz
Dog’s Daily Diary Entries…

8:00 a.m. Dog food! My favorite thing!
 
9:30 a.m. A car ride! My favorite thing!
 
9:40 a.m. A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
 
10:30 a.m. Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
 
12:00 p.m. Lunch! My favorite thing!
 
1:00 p.m. Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
 
3:00 p.m. Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
 
5:00 p.m. Milk bones! My favorite thing!
 
7:00 p.m. Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
 
8:00 p.m. Wow! Watched TV with my master! My favorite thing!
 
11:00 p.m. Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing! 
Excerpts from a Cat’s Daily Diary: 

Day 683 of my captivity: My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.
Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream. of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the floor.
 Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a “good little hunter” I am.
The audacity!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of “allergies.” I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
 Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow … but at the top of the stairs.
 I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released  … and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded!
The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. The captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe … for now …

Read: The Truth About Cats and Dogs »

This is from Steve Lightfoot with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, news you need to know about upcoming changes in Texas 2008-2009 hunting and fishing regulations …

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, at its March 26 meeting, adopted changes to hunting and fishing regulations designed to create additional recreational opportunities while effectively managing the state’s natural resources.
As part of the annual regulations review process, public input and discussion among agency staff two proposals related to upland bird hunting were withdrawn. Staff recommended turning to the Commission’s newly appointed Game Bird Advisory Committee for further discussion on potential changes to quail and pheasant regulations.
One other proposal, which would have extended regulations allowing the take of catfish by means of bow and arrow, was also withdrawn. As of Sept. 1, 2008, taking of catfish by means of bow and arrow will no longer be legal.
Meanwhile, the following changes were approved by the Commission:
Carp Bag Limit
Anglers fishing Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) in Austin will be allowed to retain only one common carp 33 inches or larger per day. There will remain no limit on common carp measuring less than 33 inches in length.
Community Fishing Lake Pole Limit
Anglers will be limited to using two fishing poles on designated community fishing lakes. This new rule addresses hoarding of limited bank fishing access. The change affects impoundments 75 acres or less totally within a city limits or a public park, but will not be enacted on any waters inside a state park.
Lake Nacogdoches Bass Limit
This rule changes the largemouth bass regulations on Lake Nacogdoches to a 16-inch maximum size limit. The daily bag will be five bass under 16 inches, although one bass 24

Read: TPW Commission Adopts 2008-2009 Hunting/Fishing Regulations »

It’s been a running joke for over ten years, ever since the concept of high-fencing on Texas trophy whitetail ranches gained so much momentum that properties with 10-foot-high enclosures became the rule instead of the exception.
“One day,” I told my friends, “I’m going to figure out some way to lease about 250 acres of Baffin Bay, stock it with speckled trout in the 30-inch class and create the ultimate big-trout haven. We won’t be fencing it to keep our trout in, mind you; we’ll fence it to keep those ‘inferior’ 26-inchers from coming in and fouling our gene pool. With selective breeding, someday we’ll grow a 20-pound speck, and forever change the definition of ‘trophy trout’ and everything it entails.”
It always drew a few laughs, and was really amusing fantasy campfire conversation.
Until today.
I discovered, this morning, that the “high-fenced saltwater” concept has indeed become reality.
It’s called the “Lone Star Blue Water Fishing Ranch,” and it’s unlike anything we have ever seen or imagined.
To find out for yourself, go to www.bluewaterfishingranch.com, and be sure to click on the link that provides “The Real Story” (centered near the top of the home page).
Remember, you heard about it here first.
The future is now.

Good fishing to all …

Boz

Read: You Won’t Believe the Lone Star Blue Water Fishing Ranch »