Be super cautious of storms

The Port Arthur News

July 03, 2008 10:15 pm

— Over the last couple of weeks I have talked with several anglers who told harrowing stories of narrowly escaping some of the vicious thunderstorms that have been blowing through Southeast Texas.
I am the first one to jump at any chance to fish the short rigs or jetties but I am also the first one to head in when I see a storm coming.
Inexperienced anglers might think they can outrun storms but in many cases that is impossible. By the time you think you better head in the Gulf has gotten choppy and you find yourself in trouble. It is truly best to head in at the first sign of lightning or the sky darkening.
Lighting can strike out from a very long distance and that is the most immediate danger but for those of us who fish out there in small boats so are the waves.
It does not take long for the Gulf to get really nasty and on more than one occasion I have thought I was going to be a casualty. It’s always best to be safe because it’s better to live another day to fish than to become a statistic.
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Gator County located off Interstate 10 between Beaumont and Winnie off of Highway 365 will be holding special events this evening.
This includes a 7:30 p.m. feeding of legendary 13 plus foot alligator “Big Al” and a special fireworks show. I’ll be out there tonight so if you see me out there please drop by and say “hi”. I always love to talk about the outdoors.
For more information call 409-794-WILD or go to www.gatorcountrytx.net.
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Now onto the report…
North Sabine/Neches River — Capt. Mike Morgan reports trout remain good early on topwaters and live shad fished under popping corks on the main lake. Redfish are good on shrimp and crab fished on the intake side of the Entergy Canal. The Louisiana shoreline is fair to good for flounder on live shad and mud minnows.
South Sabine — Capt. Phillip Samuels reports fair to good trout action on the main lake on plum and red shad colored plastics early and glow/chartreuse later in the day. Reds are mixed with the trout. Flounder are hit and miss along the Louisiana shoreline and around the causeway.
Sabine Pass — Keith Lake Cut has been fair for flounder on live mud minnows and chartreuse-colored jigs. Redfish on cut bait and Gulp with some trout showing up in the mouth of the lake. The jetties have been good for trout on calm days with some fish to six pounds reported. Angler Bill Killian reports good numbers of reds on the Texas jetties on Gulp eels and shrimptails. On calm days the short rigs are good for trout, ling and jack crevalle.
Sabine River — Redfish are good from the Port of Orange to Middle Pass on live bait and chartreuse and root beer colored plastics. Garfish are good in East Pass on cut croaker and mullet on outgoing tides. Largemouths are fair to good on topwaters fished early and late in Adams Bayou. Catfish are fair on dead shrimp and cut mullet in the bayous.
Calcasieu (Big Lake ) — The Hackberry Rod and Gun Club reports trout are good on soft plastics on live bait fished on the main lake and on soft plastics. Topwaters are good early in the morning along shorelines and over shallow shell. Redfish are good throughout the system and taking gold spoons and plastics. Flounder remain fair around the cuts on the east side of the lake on mud minnows and Gulp shrimp.
Rayburn Lake — Guide Roger Bacon reports largemouths remain good on buzz baits and frog lures fished early in the morning and late in the evening. In the heat of the day bass are moving out to 10 feet of water and taking senkos and trick worms in darker colors. Crappie are good over main lake brush on shiners out to 20 feet deep. Very few reports of catfish.
Toledo Bend — Holly Park Marina reports largemouths up to eight pounds are good on jigs fished in deep water, frogs fished in the shallows and buzz baits. Crappie are fair over baited holes on live shiners. Catfish are fair to good on cut and prepared bait. Bream are good in four to six feet of water around lily pads.
Lake Livingston — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials report largemouths are good on soft plastics and crankbaits. Striped bass are slow. White bass are good on hellbenders, pet spoons, and green Charlie slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Blue catfish are good on shad. Yellow catfish are slow.
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LAKE LEVELS
TOLEDO BEND: Normal Level: 172.0 Current Pool Level: 171.08 (Was 171.55)
RAYBURN LAKE: Normal Pool Level: 164.4 Current Pool Level: 162.75 (Was 163.11)
B.A. STEINHAGEN: Normal Pool Level: 85 Current Pool Level: 82.02 (Was 81.92)

Chester Moore, Jr. is the Port Arthur News Outdoors Editor.