Fishing Thrice
My son, Ed Allred, thought it a great idea to organize a Grandfather/Father/Son fishing trip to the South Texas coast. So he contacted several of his friends and business associates who also thought that it would be an interesting and wholesome adventure. The planning phase for this outing was kicked off at a luncheon at Timbo's in the old Pearl Brewery, where one can enjoy what is perhaps the best burger in San Antonio.
The destination was to the Land Cut south of Baffin Bay, where mobile phones do not receive service. Therefore, this would be a three-day trip without communications with home or anywhere else. Because this trip was planned to include children as young as four years of age, we all realized that the first hurdle for this daring adventure would be to get permission from the wives. Therefore, until the permission slips were issued by the wives all the planning had to be done on a tentative basis. When spousal consent was obtained the group would report back for further preparation.
While enjoying our great meal several task lists were developed, which included: Food and Beverages, Transportation, Equipment, Entertainment, and similar logistics required to make this a successful adventure for 17 enthusiastic boys, both young and old. Many of us have been to the coast fishing and know just how much fun and rewarding it can be. At the same time there is a lot of responsibility attached to such an adventure, especially when young children are part of the package.
Perhaps one of the more daunting issues addressed at this meeting was the weather. Without the promise of good weather there was no way in the world we would make this trip and expose all of these young lives to the hazards of high winds and unforgiving waters. Far too many anglers underestimate the danger of the sea and pay for it with their lives. Each man in our group committed to the others that we would not let our enthusiasm for the outdoors allows us to make this same mistake. The safety/weather issue was the only potential show stopper for this trip, assuming we secured the requisite spousal permissions. As luck would have it, there was a tropical storm brewing to our Southeast and heading right for our designated fishing spot, this storm was named “Dolly.”
This group was blessed, however, because one of the participating fathers just happens to be a meteorologist with a local television station. Where better to place the responsibility for good weather than with a profession weatherman? I made it Mike's job to ensure that Dolly did not create a dangerous situation that would cause us to cancel or reschedule this trip. He unconditionally accepted this challenge. Because there was so many of us departing at different times and from different locations, Mike agreed that the best way to keep everyone informed as to his recommendation -- Go or No Go, was for him to, after performing a thorough analysis of the storm’s path and progress, make that decision and visually broadcast that decision by the color of necktie that he wore during his normal weather broadcast on the morning before our departure. A blue necktie meant that the trip is a Go and a red necktie would mean a No Go.
Because we all had some additional responsibilities other than packing our personal clothing, equipment, etc. we needed to get cracking, but we all hated to really get committed until we knew for sure that the trip would be a Go, especially Brett (whose job it was to procure the group’s groceries). So on the morning before our planned embarkment, all eyes were on Mike when he kicked off Thursday morning’s weather forecast. As Dolly was now at the Texas coast and causing evacuations as well as major wind and water damage. I thought that the chances of us spotting a blue necktie that morning were slim and none.
To the man, each reported back that once the trip was explained to the wives, it took the wives no longer than 10 minutes to get the bags, bedrolls, and equipment ready for the trip. I think the only questions were, “When will you be back?” And/or, “Do you think that you might stay a few days longer?”
Accordingly, the head count was now confirmed at 17 and the breakdown is as follows: Three Grandfathers, five dads and nine boys ages 4 thru 9. Ty Osterhage was the youngest boy and Parker Winton the eldest. Remember those names because you will read more about these two young men later. (author’s note: Because there were three groups of Grandfathers, sons and grandsons, or three sets of three generations represented in this mix, I thought it only appropriate to include the word “Thrice” in the title.)
When Mike opened his show that morning, there he was bigger than life sporting a blue necktie. That meant the trip was a Go! So we as a group kicked everything into high gear – and started executing the many lists that we had prepared for the trip. That Thursday was a busy one as we all prepared for either a late Thursday or early Friday departure.
The Watts Law Firm supplied the accommodations. They have a fishing cabin on the land cut south of Corpus Christi and Baffin Bay. Ed, being a member of that firm, was able to reserve the cabin for our use that weekend. Because of the complications caused by Dolly, not many folks were venturing to the coast. Most observers commented that the fishing would not be good the day after the storm’s surge and resulting fresh water that had been dumped in the area’s bay system as a result of the hurricane’s rain. Of course, we had a Go from Mike so we were heading out with great hopes that we could prove them wrong, and we did. Just wait until you read the results of this fishing adventure.
Friday was spent traveling to the cabin, which is an hour by boat from the Corpus Christi area. By early evening four boats were moored to the dock at the Land Cut cabin. The boat ride down to the cabin was an adventure in itself. The winds were moderate out of the Southeast and we were traveling south, so the spray was plentiful and we all got a good taste of salt water—no one child complained as they were as excited as the older boys. The temperature remained in the 80s so while the rides were somewhat wet at times it was still comfortable and the kids enjoyed such an adventure. It does not take a young man long to get his sea legs once committed.
Boat One with Luke, Cole, Brett and Allen Dunn and Boat Two with Carson and Clint Ray and Max, Sam and Ray Allred were the first to arrive. They caravanned down from Bird Island Basin located on the Padre Island National Seashore, often referred to as “PINS”. Boat Three with Jack, Ty, and Mike Osterhage and our host Ed Allred were next to arrive from Flour Bluff’s Landing Marina in Flour Bluff. A couple of hours later Boat Four with Dr. Cary Stratton, Trevor, Parker, and Hunt Winton aboard arrived. They too put in at Bird Island for the long and wet ride to the cabin.
With the arrival of each boat, came the chores of unloading, making bunk assignments, storing the provisions, etc. When using a land cut cabin it is necessary to take everything that you are going to need for your stay and when you depart you are required to remove everything, to include any unused food and all trash. Nothing can be disposed of at the cabin. So the logistics of such a trip are most demanding and boat space becomes a valuable commodity that is to be wisely rationed.
Brett and Clint were the cooks, and they were good ones at that. The first night we were eating very tasty and tender steaks, with potatoes and asparagus. There was also a very nice selection of wines available for the adults, thanks to Dr. Stratton.
After dinner, we made it down to the dock and turned on the green lights that lit up the water several yards out. This lighting coupled with the wind and moving tide, attracted the baitfish and the game fish predictably followed the bait schools. The fishing the first night was productive but one would not want to classify it as a hot night on the water. Fishing the evening after a hurricane came through the area wasn’t overly productive after all.
The next morning, after a hardy breakfast, we were off in many directions in search of the prize Red Drum or Redfish and or the handsome and very tasty Spotted Speckled Sea trout. Spirits were high and the weather was beautiful. The winds were blowing out of the Southeast but were very gentle and helped to keep the temperature down and the bugs to a minimum.
The issues of the day were that the boys had to follow the rules. Rule One – When in a boat or on the dock each had to wear a life jacket and shoes. Rule Two – When entering or leaving the cabin the door had to be closed. If one failed to close the door behind them they would hear a hardy yell “Close the door!” from multiple adults (usually the grandfathers). Rule Three – Have a good time and enjoy the trip and each other.
We spent all day Saturday, Saturday night, and most of Sunday morning fishing. The techniques that were used varied widely and included wading, drifting, and fishing from the dock. Additionally, the kids rigged up some crab nets and hand lines using chicken necks as bait. They really had a ball catching and learning about saltwater crabs. Some were kept and used as bait, although most were returned to the water. I believe that this activity was by far the most enjoyed by the younger boys who would literally work for hours at catching crabs. Just about the only fishing method that we didn’t attempt was nighttime flounder gigging, which is know to be very successful in this area but we determined that our group’s children were too young to take on such a task, particularly at night.
The dinner Saturday evening was to kill for. Clint grilled up some freshly caught Redfish on the half shell. Brett prepared the trimmings and again there was a nice selection of wines for the adults to enjoy. That kind of a meal is to be savored and slowly eaten as you enjoy the company of your family and friends. What a dinner!
After dinner we all went down to the dock and had a real field day with the fish. The shrimp and baitfish were in and that brought the bigger game fish in. It would be fair to say that if you did not get a hit on each cast it was probably because you fouled your bait or line. If you were using a double Spec Rig as I was, it was not uncommon to have two on the line at the same time.
Many, many trout were caught that evening, with us keeping only the legal size and not exceeding the allowable numbers. I think that the younger boys learned a lot about responsibility in grading and either keeping or releasing the fish that were caught. At the end of this exercise, which continued past midnight, we were all ready for bed and a good nights sleep.
On Sunday morning after some early fishing and a taco breakfast that was devoured by all, it was decided that we would shoot for an 11 AM departure. Everybody pitched in and cleaned the cabin, loaded the boats with all the gear, food, and trash. Britt took a farewell group picture, we said our goodbyes, and departed. Boat Four with the Wintons was the first to leave, and the other three boats followed and caravanned back to our respective launching sites. What a trip!! Definitely one that will be relived many, many times by those who participated. We (and probably our wives even more) all are looking forward to doing it again and real soon. It is my understanding that the wives will again be willing to issue permission slips for such an adventure because they all enjoyed their well-deserved days of quiet and relaxation while the men had the children out of the house.
Noted Accomplishments are as follows:
Box Score:
Redfish 9
Black Drum 1
Skip Jack 3
Sea Trout 328
TOTAL: 341
While fishing off of the dock, using a $9.98 Spiderman fishing rig, four-year-old Ty Osterhage caught a 20-inch sea trout in midday. Who says you need expensive equipment to catch prize fish?
While drift fishing Parker Winton age 9 caught a 35” Redfish. His dad and granddad are having it mounted for him after some coercion from the other dads.
From an inflatable raft tied to his father’s wading belt, Trevor Winton-- age 6-- caught a 19-1/2” Redfish and a 23” Black Drum with a bait casting rig. No doubt these are great catches for any angler, particularly for those so young. Upon learning that Parker’s Redfish was headed to the taxidermy, Trevor was very disappointed when he found out that his fish were not going to be mounted. So his dad had to explain to him, that while his accomplishments were noteworthy he could and would catch more and bigger fish in the future and maybe one of them would make a nice wall mount. Then, maybe someday, he will have the fish that he really wants mounted. Trevor seemed to reluctantly accept this explanation.
Who says that the fish wont bite after what turned out to be a hurricane passes through the area?
Who says that you have to be older than four years of age to catch a 20” sea trout?
Who says that you can’t catch good fish off a dock?
Who says you need pricy rods and reels to catch fish?
And most importantly, who says you can’t have a wonderful fishing experience with your children and their young children, the great fishing being overshadowed only by the creation of invaluable family memories.
Not I, that’s for sure, I’ve done it, and so should you.
If you ever go hunting or fishing and don't take a child along to participate you are really missing a great adventure, one you will never forget.
Top to Bottom - Left to Right:
Carson, Clint, Ray, Ed, Allen, Hunt, Max, Luke, Parker, Sam, Jack, Cole, Cary, Trevor, Mike & Ty
Friday, August 1, 2008
Grandpappys, Sons & Grandkids Fishing Trip
