2012 Redfish Lodge CCA Summit - Day One

CCA Conservation of Conservation Ted Venker and I enjoy fishing near Aransas Bay

A return to Rockport, Texas allowed CCA's top brass and members of the media to convene for an important time of idea exchange in the name of marine conservation. The Coastal Conservation Association is a non-profit comprised of 17 coastal state chapters, and CCA is devoted to protecting fisheries as well as the interests of recreational anglers. Based in Texas, CCA produces its own quality publication called TIDE, and understands that other media outlets require constant education about ongoing issues. A battery of professionals presented information concerning the Gulf of Mexico's recovery from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the subsequent environmental order to remove all the idle oil rigs from the waters of the Gulf. Biologist Dr. Larry McKinney, representing the Harte Research Institute, presided over a lively roundtable discussion about how anglers want some or all of the rigs to stay since their structures have developed into valuable fish habitat. For more on this issue, visit the CCA website, at Rigs to Reefs. CCA President told me how they have renewed their partnership with Kenny  Chesney and Costa to raise funds for conservation. Of course, part of Day One involved fishing for redfish and trout and Redfish Lodge guide Joel Pruitt took CCA Director of Conservation Ted Venker and I to try our luck on Estes Flats. Despite a cold front and howling winds, I managed to catch a red drum on my very first cast that measured 23.5-inches, which I chose to harvest for supper later that night. The executive chef at the Redfish Lodge prepared fresh fish for all of the anglers who enjoyed dinner while telling fish stories. After dark, it was time to try the night-fishing that I was exposed to in 2011, underneath the lights outside the lodge. Casting and retrieving a soft plastic lure in chartreuse, I racked up at least 10 trout and 2 ladyfish, while practicing my catch and release routine.

Day One harvest for fish supper

Red Drum with some Texas seasonings

For past blog entries about the Redfish Lodge in Texas click here.