A First Trip To The Delta by: Scott Alford

June 22, 1999

It is rapidly approaching "that time" of year. Tarpon anglers are watching the weather and waiting for that first day of flat seas and calm breezes to invade tarpon alley and take up arms against the Silver King. As many of you who know me are aware, I usually don't even try and hit my beachfront haunts until at least mid July or early August. For me, optimizing my time on the water is essential. Work, children and an ever-growing sense of collateral responsibilities seem to prevent me from simply enjoying calm and quite days spent drifting on the Gulf with only minimal hopes of intercepting a tarpon. Since I usually don't actively pursue tarpon until late July or August, I am just now starting my pre-tarpon season preparation. In the years that I have done this, I have learned one thing, an ounce of preparation will save you a pound of heartache.

My preparations for tarpon season usually start with a little spring-cleaning (or should I say early summer cleaning). First, I always start on the boat. It usually gets the best wash of the year. A wash with Soft Scrub and a subsequent run through a pressure washer at the local car wash is followed by a good waxing and polishing of the chrome. While some of you may say this is probably a lot of overkill for a fishing boat, cleaning the boat in this way seems to break the ice for me. It gets me thinking about the condition of the boat and causes me to peruse every inch. I mentally take note of the rod holder bolts that need tightening, the T-top box that needs cleaning and the rust that needs to be stopped in various out of the way spots. While boat cosmetics usually are not that essential to fishing, I find that since I take a lot of friends fishing, their first impression when they step on the boat sets the tone for the day. If they think, "Wow, this is a really nice boat," they usually enjoy their fishing trip a lot more.

After cleaning and taking care of the loose screws and bolts, next usually comes organization of the boat. Every year I usually come up with a new plan of attack on where to store things. One thing I have found to be very handy and is relatively "un-fishing" related is the storage of my wallet and car keys. I installed a small shower basket (you know, the things you put on the wall of the shower with suction cups) on the inside of my center console. It is screwed into the fiberglass and I place my car keys and wallet in the basket. This is a dry and safe place for them and I never forget where they are.

Once the boat is organized as far as the non-fishing equipment goes, I finally begin to face the engine issues. I usually try and tackle engine maintenance relatively early so that if anything major needs to be fixed I can have the work done in plenty of time. Since I have an inboard, an oil change comes first. Replacing the water pump belts and impeller are always a quick second. Third, I spray a little carburetor cleaner into the engine just to clean out the gunk from last year. Finally, once all the engine maintenance is done I go for a long sea trial. Usually at least a half day of running and idling to ensure that everything will hold together. While I have found my platinum spark plugs last virtually forever, a change of plugs for most on a yearly basis is in order.

Once the engine is squared away, I look at safety issues. Often this simply involves drying out mildewed life jackets and giving them a wash down. But I also check them for rot and ensure they will still float. Next, I check bilge pumps. I may not replace a single automatic float that doesn't work. But at least I am aware it doesn't work and ensure that I have at least one that does. By knowing which floats may not be working, I at least know to periodically check that bilge pump by cycling it into manual. In light of the recent tragedies that have occurred in the Gulf, checking safety equipment may be the most important item on the checklist. Ensure you have flares, life jackets, an air horn or whistle and a good flashlight. In addition, I also have a life raft. I ensure it does not need maintenance and take it in if necessary.

After all the foregoing is done, I finally start thinking about tarpon. I start by looking at the rods and reels. They usually have a little dust and dirt on them from having been laid up for eight months. I gently wash and soap them down. I check all guides and usually replace monofilament fishing line. Recently, I have switched over to spectra braided fishing line on my trolling reels. The stuff is practically bullet proof and costs almost as much as a Kevlar. Obviously, I don't re-spool this line every year but I also don't feel I have to. I might take fifteen or twenty feet off the reel and start with a little fresher line. However, I always re-spool my mono casting reels each summer.

I next check the operation and drags on all my reels. If any reel sticks or appears to need some lubrication, out comes the reel oil. It is important not to over do the oiling of reels. As they say, "a little dab'l do ya." Since I troll almost exclusively, I usually set the rods in their respective rod holders to check drags. While I have set my drags repeatedly with a scale and know what the right amount of drag simple feels like, I would recommend those who are less familiar with the "right feel" to pull their scales out and test their drags. Since I use 80lb spectra braided line, I have a considerable amount of leeway in setting my drags. I use only about ten to fifteen pounds of strike drag pressure, which is under what I could put on the reels. For a good article on setting drags on a lever drag reel, look at the following web page: http://fish4fun.com/equipmen.htm#Setting the Drag. On my monofiliment reels, I usually always check my drags with a scale to ensure they are accurate.

Once the boat is squared away and once the reels are in order, I get down to the fun part. It's the part of the preparation process that so amused my ex-wife. It usually starts with at least a three-hour trip to the local fishing stores. Of course, you can't get everything in one place and you have to go back and forth to at least two or three stores. Sometimes it might even take more than one day to accomplish. It may take an act of God to get me to go shopping for clothes but my obsession involved in shopping for fishing stuff use to amuse my ex-wife beyond end.

So, what am I looking for when I go? Well, usually, I have only made mental notes of what I want to accomplish. Not having a game plan is half the fun. I usually have decided that I'm going to reinvent almost everything. How I keep my lures, where I keep my hooks, what bait-tails I'm going to try, which wire leader to use and which swivels to attach to the line are all up for debate. While walking up and down the isles of the fishing stores, I must look lost because I usually get asked at least five times whether I need help. No, I don't need help, thank you, I just need to make my mind up. This tackle box, that soft tackle case, this big box of hooks or just a few, etc. Since the Bass Pro Shops store opened recently in Katy, my confusion seems to be magnified.

Once I have made my yearly decision on how to store lures, baits and hooks, I end up with a huge pile at the checkout counter containing a very odd conglomeration of equipment, which is usually not intended for the use to which I am about to put it. I then write my yearly dues check out of that checking account that my ex-wife never knew about (just kidding) and head home.

When I get home, the fun really begins. I take all this stuff out of the bags and begin to spread it out on the floor. As the A-Team use to say, "I love it when a plan comes together." This is when the plan comes together. I take all these things I have bought, which standing alone nobody but a tarpon fisherman would understand, and I do the real work to get ready for the season.

This year was not different except for the fact that the trip to the fishing stores came first, before the boat washing and the engine maintenance. This year, however, I think I'm on to something. In years past, I have used Zip-lock bags to store pre-made hooks and leaders. It use to be I pre-made at least fifteen hook and leader rigs for fishing. I have gotten to where I do not like to prepare leaders on the boat. I use to take each leader and since I use coon-pops, attach a lead jig to each and store it in a separate Zip-lock. When I got done, all the Zip-locks would go in my big tackle box that then went under the leaning post when I went fishing. Easy enough, right? Well, last year I got tired of that tackle box and this year I vowed to find something different. I did.

Now, this may seem like a no-brainer to some of you, however, I am not a bass fisherman and this took me a while to figure out. Who needs Zip-locks when you have worm bags? Yes, worm bags. They make some huge ones. Just the right sizes for a coiled up tarpon leader and hook. To top things off, guess what? They make extra bags to go in them. Wow, when I found these at Academy I thought I was in heaven. Finally, a cool tote bag to drag around all those hated Zip-locks. I'm set now.

Next, I figured, as long as I bought one, what the heck, I'll by another. Now I have a place to put my bait tails for my coon pops too. So long tackle box, here comes the WORM BAG!!! Next thing I know, I've got bait tails in one (soaking in smelly bait juice) and hooks, leaders, extra hooks and extra leader material in another. Next, I thought, why stop at two bags, how about a third for all those lead headed coon-pops. Each in a separate bag and not needing to be tied on until they are dropped in the water. For the final key to the entire ensemble, none of the bags are the same size or color. Thus, when I go for a bag I know what's in it.

I hope some of this story is amusing because that is half the point. Sometimes, a guy like me gets in such a rut about how he does things that the simplest idea seems like I've found the cure for cancer. Those ideas only come when you don't necessarily have a game plan. Fishing is fun, preparation should be too. Next year, those bags will probably be rotten and I'll be on to another plan. So, if next May or June you see some guy wearing a tarpon hat, shirt or belt in a fishing store in the Houston area looking confused and lost, its probably me. Don't offer to help, just stay out of my way because I'm working on my next organizational plan. However, I may not be out in the stores next year. It may have taken me thirteen years of doing it, but I think I found the right combination this year……………… maybe??

I have always viewed my fishing and hunting from both a recreational and scientific perspective. I think any outdoorsman that enjoys either of these activities must also be somewhat of a closet biology fanatic or they would not derive much enjoyment out of the sport. Recently, I had the opportunity to satisfy both my tarpon addiction and my curiosity for the biological background of this magnificent sport fish.

So, What's Next? by: Scott Alford

June 14, 2003

A lot has been done recently to further man’s understanding of tarpon. We have now had two international tarpon symposiums with serious doctoral theses being presented at each. Up until very recently, Dr. Roy Crabtree seemed to be just about the only scientist conducting serious tarpon research. Today, all along the Gulf coast, we now have a number of well-known and well-respected marine biologists turning an interest toward tarpon. We seem to be learning things about tarpon in leaps and bounds. Despite this ever-increasing wealth of knowledge, I seem to be left with one overwhelming concern. Is all this effort simply too little too late?

All of us certainly know of the demise of the great tarpon fishing industry in Port Aransas, Texas. Recently, someone on the texastarpon.net message board asked the question, “Is what happened to Port Aransas happening to Boca Grande?” While I initially answered that question, “No,” maybe the way it should have been answered was, “I hope not” or “Not yet.” The answer possibly should have even included a question mark at the end of it. The reason is that we simply don’t know. Other than anecdotal evidence from fishing guides on how any particular season is progressing, there is no exact count of tarpon and we simply don’t know their biomass. This lack of knowledge about tarpon numbers makes a cohesive management program difficult but not impossible.

In the early part of this century, the North American Continent faced a wildlife crisis. Waterfowl were disappearing from the North American skies at an alarming rate. Market hunting, unregulated recreational hunting and habitat degradation led to a virtual crash in the population. The United States, Canada and Mexico reacted. The Migratory Game Bird Treaty was adopted by all three countries and has worked reasonably well ever since. Today, the length of hunting seasons and bag limits are closely tied to duck production. While there can be a lot said for instances of violation, including complaints that some countries don’t adequately enforce the treaty, generally speaking, the treaty and the resulting regulations work.

Unlike tarpon, we know where ducks breed and their actual existence sitting on a nest can be verified. While there are always complaints each year about the scientific methodology used and the apparent rigidity of the methods utilized, there is little doubt that the assessment of the health of the duck population is generally pretty good. Obviously tarpon aren’t ducks, they don’t fly and we can’t walk around and count them on the nest, but why isn’t fishing for them better regulated?

Years ago, when I was searching the web, I came across some information concerning what the annual economic impact was on the state of Florida as a result of tarpon angling. I was absolutely amazed at the size of the number. While I don’t have any proof and I’ve long since lost the link to that information, I’d bet it is similar to the economic impact on Arkansas from duck hunting. With a species having such a large impact on the economy of a state, why is there not a bigger effort to ascertain its health and internationally regulate its harvest?

There is plenty of proof that the same tarpon that enter Boca Grande Pass every spring travel great distances throughout the rest of the year. Tarpon tagged in Boca Grande have turned up in Texas, Louisiana and Mexico. Some have even gone up the East Coast of the United States and still others have even been caught in Havana, Cuba. It simply cannot be argued that some of the same tarpon that go to Florida every year do not visit other states and countries. Despite this unequivocal fact, we have no homogeneity in tarpon regulations and instead, have a hodgepodge of laws. Some protect tarpon while others don’t.

Lets look at some of the present regulations around the Gulf of Mexico, starting with the recognized tarpon fishing hot spots. In Florida, there are no size limits and a person can keep two tarpon a day, so long as they have the $50 tag for the fish. In Texas, you have to pre-purchase a $100 tag and there is a minimum size limit. In Louisiana, there are no bag or size limits. Tarpon can even be speared by scuba divers in Louisiana (boy, there’s a sport). As far as Mexico goes, well… enough said. In less recognized tarpon haunts, Alabama has a $50 tag to keep and retain tarpon, with a minimum size of 60 inches, and Mississippi has no bag or size limit restrictions on tarpon. Finally, I can only imagine what goes on in Cuba.

Recognizing the incongruity of regulations facing tarpon harvest around the Gulf of Mexico, you might be saying, “So what? A couple dead tarpon taken in Mississippi or Alabama really isn’t going to hurt anything.”

If you think that, then let me ask you one simple question, “What is the biological reproductive requirement of a female tarpon in her lifetime?” Not sure of the answer? Well, Mother Nature has a pretty simple answer. Any animal with longevity has a built in infant mortality rate. Except for humans, that seem to highly control their mortality, in nature, certain safeguards exist to prevent overpopulation. One of the best safeguards is breeding habits. Female tarpon have been recognized to live as long as 65 years. A female tarpon that lives that length of time, biologically, is required to produce two viable offspring in her lifetime that make it to spawn. That simple math keeps the species stable. Taking into account natural factors like weather, predation and other nonhuman influences, those are pretty incredible odds when you think that during each spawning cycle a female tarpon releases millions and millions of eggs.

Now, what do you think happens when you kill one female tarpon before she has reached her two fish quota? Well, that’s two fewer fish in the next generation. Then what happens, two fewer fish in the next generation and the effects snowball. To kill a tarpon for the sake of bragging rights or to watch a fish hang from a hook for an ill conceived photo-op seems disgustingly perverse. Granted, I am one to recognize that there are some checks and balances to this whole system of breeding and survival; however, the effect of human hands on a fish’s population, which has such little breeding success and lives so long, simply cannot be overly exaggerated.

In the modern world, tarpon face an uphill battle for survival. Catching and killing tarpon is but one element. Tarpon are under siege wherever they exist and not all from natural causes. Today, we have a plethora of flats boats. People with GPS units can fish the darkest reaches of the Everglades. Places where only true salts historically fished. The dreaded personal watercraft can be found frequently gliding through places in mangrove swamps that no man has ever tread. These impeller driven noise monsters disturb the eco system and all that live there. Rivers get damned and run-off gets blocked. Baitfish and shellfish so desperately needed by tarpon to survive during their entire lifecycle are prevented from flourishing due to the choking off of the vital nutrients in the sediments dammed up stream. And what about Charlotte Harbor? This is probably the most essential location for the existing Gulf Coast tarpon population. Every spring, by the tens of thousands, tarpon congregate in Boca Grande Pass. Locals have been fighting proposed mining operations in the backwaters that feed Charlotte Harbor. As the need for progress continues, those efforts won’t be stymied for long. What happens if one chemical spill kills millions of small crabs in the Harbor? What will the tarpon eat? Where will they go? The impact cannot be predicted nor measured by simple mathematical standards. The threats are real and for any of us who love to fish for tarpon to knowingly and intentionally kill a fish for some form of sick machismo personal gratification is repugnant.

Now, before all you guys start getting worked up with the idea that you are going to have to form some association where your slogan is, “I’ll give up tarpon fishing when you pry my tarpon rod from my cold dead hands,” let me put you at ease. I have killed tarpon too. In my younger years, I’ve even killed them for the heretical photo opportunity. Today, I regret having done that and in my own form of restitution to the species, I refuse to participate in any kill tournament, anywhere, anytime, for any price. I even go so far as to almost never lift more than the head of a tarpon out of the water. I only lip gaff large fish and only when I feel it is necessary. I also spend lots of time reviving a wasted tarpon.

I am not against taking tarpon when they could potentially be a record, regardless of the line class. I understand the incentive for some to fish for records and I understand that, to a degree, that desire drives the sport-fishing industry. But lets not kid ourselves. The money raised by those tarpon tags does little to help tarpon. I may be wrong, but I know of no breeding or spawning center for tarpon where fingerlings are being actively released into the environment. The production of revenues from tarpon tags in Texas alone is so negligible that I doubt it’s even noticed. More money is probably wasted paying the electric bill incurred when plugging the numbers into some state computer and the wages of the data terminal operator, than is collected from the revenues from the sale of the tags. A know of no significant funds being applied from the sale of Texas tarpon tags to Sea Center Texas for the active effort of spawning tarpon. Simply put, tags are more of a deterrent than a species restoration tool. In Florida, tag sales probably do generate some real revenue and I certainly hope that revenue is specifically spent on tarpon research. As for Alabama, I imagine those tag sales are as effective fiscal generators as are the tags in Texas. Since the other Gulf States lack any tags or regulations, I can unequivocally state that taking tarpon in those states does nothing to raise money for tarpon research.

So what needs to be done? Short of becoming an eco-terrorist and dynamiting dams, there is a lot that can be accomplished. First, an attempt at a census of tarpon needs to be undertaken. Tarpon frequent the shallows off the west coast of Florida each year. Just before full and new moon cycles each May, June and July, there should be an attempt at aerial surveys of tarpon. At first, little will be accomplished except data gathering. But after four or five years, a biomass index might be revealed. While being far from perfect, at least that population and its population cycles might be better understood. Bottom line, it can’t hurt. However, we need not wait on the census results.

We need an international treaty protecting tarpon and we need it now. The federal government needs to dictate tarpon regulations. While the federal government has always been reluctant to invade the sovereignty of state’s rights when it comes to fishing within state waters, tarpon are a perfect example of when and where they need to step in. From a legal standpoint, the federal government is more than happy to regulate states whenever a ‘federal question’ is involved. Highway safety standards are a perfect example. Certainly, for a fish as highly migratory as tarpon, the federal economic impact, which could be caused by a crash in the population, is real. Unfortunately, the federal government is rarely proactive. It rarely acts when there has not been a catastrophe. I would venture to say that if disaster strikes the tarpon population, federal intervention will be too late, too hap hazard and too ineffectual to protect or revive the resource. If our knowledge base for tarpon does grow a thousand fold over the next ten years, we simply will not have the tools necessary to help tarpon when they need it the most.

Some critics charge that we simply don’t have enough information to act now and that more data needs to be collected. I think the proponents of such an argument are simply blind to the reality of the situation. Tarpon are under attack. They are under attack from a lack of or from minimal regulations and from environmental factors. However, no matter how you slice it, they are under attack from man. Man is the root of the problem and a source of the solution. We don’t lack enough information to act. If we did, we would not need any regulations, whatsoever. The information we need has been before us for a long time. It rests in the minds of tarpon guides. Tarpon guides like Capt. Mike Williams, ‘Coon’ Schoest and other countless guides in Florida. These pros have invested much of their lives on the water, watching, observing and learning about tarpon. The information and data collected by the biologists over the last few years has substantiated the guides’ observations more than it has refuted them. I believe we now have enough empirical data to prove that the guides’ opinions are credible and reliable. They are our best witnesses. Those of us who love to tarpon fish owe these men a debt of gratitude and its time we start to listen and take affirmative action based on what they tell us. If we don’t start paying attention, there will be no tarpon to hear our cries in the decades to follow. What we do next for tarpon is more important than all the damage we have already done.

The State of Tarpon Fishing and Other Things by: Scott Alford

February 18, 2006

Well, it’s been almost three years now since we’ve done a new feature article for Brent’s website (www.texastarpon.net). Three years is just too long between installments. A lot has happened in three years and the world has certainly changed.