MALIBU MINI X

46 Outdoors Adventure Files: Sunday Funday

Photo: Chris Carson

The Malibu Kayaks are finally in at Twisted Oak.  They arrived in mid August right before school started.  As you may or may not remember, we gave Cole his very own Mini-X from Malibu Kayaks for his birthday back in June. He has been waiting patiently all summer for it to arrive.

As they were expected to arrive the week prior to heading back to school, he had a plan to spend the last day of summer kayaking with the family on Canyon Lake.  The poor guy's hopes and dreams were dashed again by mother nature.  That weekend, we had along steady tropical type of rain that had the Guadalupe River running high and fast.  Since it was raining, I spent the whole weekend at the Unfair Lures booth at the San Antonio Texas Trophy Hunters Extravaganza with Paul and the crew.

Photo: Chris Carson

Baseball, football, and a little hog hunting warm up for deer season have stolen every weekend since then, so yesterday was the first opportunity we had to get the yaks wet.  All three kids had a blast, but I'm sure if you ask the teenager, she will tell you how grueling our paddle was and how Cole doesn't know how to paddle a kayak and how adorable Cody is, but her smiles paint the real picture! I have faith that she will soon let go of the sibling rivalry and accept things for what they are and learn to enjoy life as it comes. Until then, I will continue to exercise my patience and she will continue to test their limits!

Practicing his Taekwando.           Photo: Chris Carson

Cole and Cody on the other hand were quite happy with the experience.  We launched at Boat Ramp 11 (Rebecca Creek) and paddled upstream on Rebecca Creek for about a half mile or so.  Cody decided he wanted to go swimming, so he "fell" into the water while I was messing with my fishing rods. So, I told the kids they could take a swim.  They abandoned their yaks under the tree they were sitting under and headed for the middle of the creek to splash and play. Cody swam over to them as well and all three kids had a blast floating around in their PFD's.  Ater about 20 minutes or so of that, we headed back toward the boat ramp doing a little fishing along the way.  "Little" being the key word.

Malibu Mini-X serves as a cannonball platform.
Photo: Chris Carson

Cody lost yet another fishing rod to the murky depths of Rebecca Creek.  In my younger days, I
probably would have gone in after it, but you know what the song says... I'm not as good as I once was!  We paddled back and past the boat ramp, and headed to the Guadalupe River.  Then headed upstream for about 20 minutes.  It was during this paddle that our ears were assaulted with the soud of my daughter hurling every insult she could think of at her brother who probably could have out-paddled me.  Did I mention that she had the fastest boat and the paddle that moved the most water?

After awhile, we stopped at a bend in the river where the kids enjoyed more shenanigans.
 Flips, belly flops, and cannon balls were all in order from the Malibu Kayaks Mini-X.  This boat has some pretty exceptional stability as does my Stealth 14.  All in all, we all had a great time.  It was an absolutely wonderful way to enjoy creation, spend a little family time together and thank God for our blessings on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Cole on his Mini-X
Photo: Chris Carson

Brothers
Photo: Chris Carson

Cody's attempt at a cannonball
Photo: Chris Carson

A little after 6 PM, I decided it was time to start back.  Cole who had what I thought was the lightest paddle with the least surface area and no scoop, traded me for the heaviest paddle.  Which I then traded to Caitlyn,(so, they effectively traded paddles) to give her (what I thought was) the lighter paddle that Cole was using (turns out that hers was pretty light too) and low and behold, you would have thought I put a motor on her boat.  She beat us both back.  I don't know if it was the psychology of having what she was convinced was the better paddle (that her brother had been hogging the whole trip) or if having a paddle that displaced less water actually helped the situation.  I will probably never know.

We were very pleased with our Malibu Kayaks.  My Spider Angler seat from Crack Of Dawn Paddlesports was comfortable for a 4 1/2 hour trip and I could have gone longer.  Stability was great on both boats.  I'm a stealthy 265 lbs, and I can swing both legs to one side of the boat to look in my crate or reach the cooler.  I will have a more in depth review coming after I spend more time in it and actually get to fish rather than babysit, but for now, come check them out at Twisted Oak Hunting & Outfitter Supply.  You won't be disappointed!

46 Outdoors Mission: Put Down The Electronics... Get Outdoors

What is 46 Outdoors all about?  Short and simple,our mission is to get kids outdoors.  

I grew up roaming my neighborhood in San Antonio, TX which had some open fields and a creek nearby.  My buddies and I caught crawdads and played in the creeks and ditches and got in a ton of trouble.  

We had these clunky electronic devices that you could play football or baseball on... sort of.  They were basically a series of LCD dots and lines that represented players.  Very rudimentary.  But, this was a step up from molded plastic player dancing around a loud vibrating piece of sheet metal that was painted like a football field. Electronic games and devices were in their infancy.

The older I got, the more I roamed.  The alleys behind our home were a battlefield of sorts where we built clubhouses and forts against the neighbor's fences with whatever we could find.  When someone trimmed their trees, we lived in the brush piles for a week or two before they got hauled away.  

My 11 year old son loves to hear these stories.  It's no wonder that he seems to be enamored with these events.  Now, we live in a subdivision on a cul-de-sac probably a 1/4 mile from a major highway.  We never let them play outside on their own until they were about 8-10 years old.  There were very few kids living in the neighborhood at the time either.  Like many other parents during this day and age, we were weary of allowing our kids to roam the neighborhood.  There is a small greenbelt  next to our neighborhood that I know for a fact is inhabited by homeless people.  We have heard of strange cars parking near the ditches and older kids heading back there for what I'm sure amounts to nefarious reasons at best.

Recently, we have had an influx of kids their age move into the neighborhood and they have started doing some of the things that I did as a kid (probably to the dismay of the neighbors).  It was very difficult to resist the temptation of putting them in front of the TV or getting them computers or iPads or iPods or any number of other devices.  We finally broke down and bought a Wii a few years ago, but for the most part, our kids have grown up outdoors.  Whether it was playing at the park, team sports, hunting, fishing, boating, or riding our bikes; I made it a point to get them outside and move.  Even in inclement weather they have fun outdoors!

The other day, I overheard a conversation at football practice about kids not wanting to get outside or put down the electronics. This is what 46 Outdoors is about at it's core. Even my kids, who weren't involved in all that, but now have phones and tablets and need to use computers to do homework find it hard to put them down at times.


I went to Camp Stewart on the Guadalupe River headwaters where I rode horses, climbed the NRA Riflery rankings, learned to canoe, shot my bow, hiked, camped out, swam and a host of other activities including team sports clinics.  I loved it!  If memory serves, the camp session was 34 days... 34 days of all those activities and more...  I was in heaven!  It was tough being away from my parents for that long, but it was well worth it.  I wouldn't change a minute of it.  

I would love to send my kids to that camp or one like it, but truth be told, we can't afford it especially for three kids.   In fact, my parents had help in sending me.  But, I know the boys would love it, and probably benefit and grow a little independence.  So, with that being out of the realm of possibility, we are left with the task of teaching these lessons and giving them this experience on our own.

In the process of doing this, I realized that there are those out there that for whatever the reason or circumstance, don't know how or are in some way unable to impart these experiences.  So, I do my best to live a life steeped in the outdoors and fan the flames of this passion among my own kids and their friends.  The purpose of 46 Outdoors is to encourage others to provide their families with the same sort of experiences by opening a window into our experience and providing tips and advice.

Please comment below or contact us on Facebook if I can help you and/or your family get connected outdoors.

Opening Day

Photo: Chris Carson

I see it already at Twisted Oak.  The deer hunters have woken out of their sleepy, air conditioned, Summer hibernation (and honestly, I can't blame them).  Some are coming from fishing the lakes and bays, and some have been on vacations. Usually around August, we realize that there is work to be done on the lease and feeders need to be fed.  With that usually comes a little hog and varmint hunting, because you can't go to the lease or ranch without doing some hunting. It is with bated breath that we wait... and wait.... for that most sacred day to a deer hunter... OPENING DAY! 

September will bring Dove Season.  This year, it will be the longest in 80 years for the State of Texas. An extra 20 days will have hunters scouring the skies in search of that tell tale silhouette of a dove. The bruised shoulders will come and go, millions of shotgun shells will be spent, dove bags will grow full with birds and shells, and the weather will begin to turn cooler.

Photo: James Plant

With the smell of gun powder still lingering and feathers sill dancing on the wind, October will bring Open Day of Bow Season.  Bowhunters will camo up, spray themselves down, and head out to climb into their stands. These thrill seeking deerstalkers live for the opportunity to match wits and
senses with the wariest of prey in order to feed the family.  For most, the thrill of getting into the habitat, where the animal eats, sleeps and/or travels to conceal themselves and release and make a clean ethical kill shot at incredibly close distances is exhilarating to say the least.  

Photo: Chris Carson

November brings Opening Day of Gun Season.  With the pursuit of wild game on their minds, a yearning for cold weather and bags of gear for all occasions, these predators will rise early and head quietly into the woods with the goal of putting dinner on the table with the same clean ethical kill shot at great distances.

Photo: Chris Carson

Whether you hunt with a bow or a gun or both, Opening Day is usually circled on your calendar.  A sacred day that one waits for, dreams about, plans for... Lives for.  For many hunters, luck and superstitions that carry on all season are born on Opening Day.  
Routines are set, deer are killed, tags are filled, deer are skinned and cleaned, and stories are shared around the campfire.  It's a fellowship among hunters, a bond that is created, a brotherhood... for some, a calling.  Life is good!

What does Opening Day mean to you? Which one do you celebrate? Do you celebrate both? Do you celebrate at all?  Let us know in the comments or on Facebook.

Product Review: Cowboy's Wild Game Washer

Before and after dove on the left fish on the right.
Photo: Cowboy's Wild Game Washer

If you haven't seen Cowboy's Wild Game Washer yet, you need to... This thing is quite useful.  We had the pleasure of having the booth across from Cowboy at last year's Texas Trophy Hunter's Extravaganza. Along with being an avid outdoorsman, Tim "Cowboy" McDonald has come up with a time saving easy to use idea!

To start with, it is a great place to sit as it's a 5 gallon bucket.  As a volunteer baseball coach, I can't think of a better place to sit than on a bucket.  Add a swivel seat to that with a little bit of padding for an afternoon dove hunt, and I am in Heaven!  But it's usefulness just keeps on giving.

The unique swirling action
 cleans and flushes all sorts
of wild game.
Photo: Cowboy's Wild Game Washer

The bucket is a great place to toss your dove when you are stationary keeping you from sitting on them and your bags from getting too heavy or infested with ants. I can't tell you how many times I've piled up birds under my seat or beside the log I'm using for cover only to find them infested with fire ants like 12 seconds later.  In fact, usually it's my getting bit that alerts me to the fact that my birds are under attack.  Cowboy's Wild Game Washer keeps the ants out and the birds from becoming ant infested.

Then, there is the purpose for which this ingenious idea was conceived. Washing game... Having had one for almost a year now, I have personally used it for all sorts of game.  When I get back from the lake, I hook the water hose to it and it starts that swirling action.  I fillet my fish and toss them in Cowboy's Wild Game Washer and let them spin.  It flushes all the blood, scales and any other debris from them while I grab the gallon bags or vacuum packer.

After a dove hunt, All the feathers and debris float to the top.  I have even found a few pellets in the bottom when I was finished.  That means it rinsed out pellets I would have consumed (or attempted to) at some point.  Dentist approved!

It even comes in handy at the skinning shed.  When it's time to quarter those deer and hogs, I dip the quarters in Cowboy's Wild Game Washer to rinse the hair, blood, bone fragments, etc. off before putting them on ice.

At a retail value of $59.99 it come with the swivel seat.  Newer models run $49.99 without the seat.   If it keeps blood, guts, and feathers out of Mamma's sink, it's well wort the money and I'm willing to bet she will think so too.  I've even heard of gardeners using the product for washing veggies.

Check out the video here and stop by Twisted Oak to pick Cowboy's Wild Game Washer.  Dove season is right around the corner and don't go on another fishing trip without one.  You won't be disappointed!

4 Tips For A Great (and LONG) Dove Season

According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, our Dove Season here in Texas will be the longest it has been in 80 years with an additional 20 days.  Check out the dates below:

2016-17 Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

AUSTIN – Texas dove hunters can look forward to the longest season in 80 years, thanks to season dates adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recently.

While the traditional opening dates established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service remain fixed, a new 90-day season this fall means hunters will have 20 more days of opportunity compared to previous years.

The additional days are being integrated early in the season to take advantage of birds migrating into the state, as well as at the end of the season in the Special White-winged Dove Area to offer more wingshooting opportunities.

Dove

North Zone

• Sept. 1 – Nov. 13 and Dec. 17 – Jan. 1, 2017.

Central Zone

• Sept. 1 – Nov. 6 and Dec. 17 – Jan. 8, 2017.

South Zone

• Sept. 23 – Nov. 13 and Dec. 17 – Jan. 23, 2017.

The daily bag limit for doves statewide is 15 and the possession limit 45.

Special White-winged Dove Area

• Sept. 3-4, 10-11, Sept. 23 – Nov. 9, Dec. 17 – Jan. 23, 2017.

During the early two weekends in the Special White-winged Dove Area, hunting is allowed only in the afternoon and the daily bag limit is 15 birds, to include not more than two mourning doves and two white-tipped doves. During the general season opens, the aggregate bag limit is 15 with no more than two white-tipped doves.

-TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE

With the season opener less than 30 days away, it's time to start thinking about gearing up for Dove Season.  Here at Twisted Oak Hunting & Outfitter Supply, we have stocked up on shells in 20 and 12 guage. Browning field vests and dove bags.  Lucky Duck Air Dove and Rapid Flyer (with flapping wing action Decoys) are in stock as well as foam decoys, snake guards by Foreverlast, and Cowboy's Wild Game Washer.  We are also carrying a full line of gun cleaning supplies and kits by Gunslick.

A few things to remember for dove season.

1. Get a Cowboy's Wild Game Washer.  This is one of the best game cleaning aids I have seen on the market.  It can be your seat in the field, hold your birds, extra shells, spent shells, whatever you want.  When you are done, breast your birds, then find a hose let the bucket do the work.
2. Don't forget the water. Here in Texas dove season (especially early season) is HOT.  Remember to take plenty of water.  I usually bring a cooler with water bottles on ice.  Whatever adult beverages you want to bring for AFTER the hunt is up to you and will dictate the size of cooler necessary.  If you will be hunting in an area where you don't have access to a hose, bring 5 gallon water cooler with tap water and no ice for cleaning birds and washing hands. 
3. Snake Boots/Guards are a must. I think I have seen more snakes (including Rattlesnakes, no... MOSTLY Rattlesnakes) while dove hunting.  It's just the nature of the beast.  They want to enjoy the heat too. So, protect yourself, carry a snakebite kit, know first aid, and know where the nearest hospital is of course.
4. Decoys and decoy trees.  I have no idea why dove fall for decoys, but they do... ALOT! Even the most beat up cheap little clothes pinned to the fence are effective.  Why a bird would fly into a white pvc "tree" with decoys that have spinning or flapping wings yet are going nowhere escapes me.  I guess the the brain is just too small for that kind of critical thinking.  The point is, they work!

Dove season is a great time to bring the family out to the ranch. Especially later in the season when things begin to cool off.  You just can't beat fresh bacon wrapped, jalapeno dove kabobs at the campfire after a good dove hunt.  Take plenty of shells, because you know you will miss... ALOT!

Huntin' Fishin' and Lovin' Everyday? I Wish!!!

Huntin', fishin', and lovin' everyday.  I must say that I have not been the biggest fan of the last 10 or 15 years or so of country music.  I heard this song awhile back.  Probably when it was new and thought "Hey, I actually like that song!" and that IS "THE PRAYER that this country boy (from the city) prays."  But, not really being into today's country, I wasn't listening to stations or playlists to hear that song, so I never heard it again until recently.

Before I left for my Port Mansfield trip, I took a little afternoon of kayaking with the kids.  For the hour or so that it takes to get there, I started a Pandora station based on the song Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band.  It was a song I thought of that was fairly recent that
I liked. The purpose of this station was that it was music we could all stand to listen to.  While we were listening to that station, Huntin',  Fishin, and Lovin' Everyday came on.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Now, I'm not saying I am now a fan of today's country.  Still way too many references to smoking pot for me.  I'm sure that makes me prudish or an old fart or something along those lines, but hey at least I have my principles.  However, I may be slipping into becoming somewhat of a Luke Bryan fan.  How can I not when he puts out songs like Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Everyday?

I have been singing it in my head for the last several weeks like that song that you just can't get out of your head.  You know, like the fly that keeps buzzing around that you keep swatting at but it keeps coming back?!?  Yeah that one.  Except I actually WANT to sing this one... I guess you could say that it takes me to my "happy place".

Then the other day, I Googled the video.  The imagery in the video, the message of the song, and everything about it embodies the life I only wish I could live.  Only in my dreams.  From offshore fishing (bucket list) to a deer I would love to see, to family time outdoors, fly fishing (bucket list) a tree stand, a deer blind a Peacock Bass and family time around the campfire. Notice family time was in there twice? Just plain old FUN... OUTDOORS.  I can't imagine a better life. Huntin' Fishin' & Lovin' Everyday!

Would you add anything?  Would you give all you have to live this life?  A new friend of mine who is a baseball coach at a much higher level than I will ever be just told me today that if given the choice to give up hunting or baseball, he would give up baseball.  What would you give up? Leave a comment here or on the Facebook page.

Defining Success Outdoors MONSTER TROUT? MONSTER REDFISH?

This morning was a slow start to my Monday.  Cole and I just returned home from our semi-annual Port Mansfield fishing trip.  We did well, but the drive home started off a little dicey.  After a couple hours worth of delays for some truck repairs, we made it home by 12:30 am.  Needless to say, I'm tired!

When I did finally roll out of bed this morning, I fed the youngest kid some Fruit Loops and took him to summer camp and came back home to cook breakfast.  The wife/mom headed off to work because the bills just won't go away and the (almost) teenager (11 days to go) was less than thrilled at the prospect that her brother was home. I sent Cole to knock on her door and let her know that I was cooking and he was forced to make a hasty retreat.  So, it was just me and Cole sitting down to breakfast, still half asleep and trying to wake up.  Cole asked "Dad, what was your favorite part of the trip?" to which I responded "I don't know, I'd have to think about that."

As I sat there pondering what the best moment of the trip may have been, I realized that he was probably wanting me to ask him the same question, so I asked.  He said "Probably when I caught that MONSTER TROUT!" I kind of chuckled a bit and asked "Why?"  He said "I don't know probably because of the way Uncle Chuck said I was ASLEEP!  Either that or the MONSTER REDFISH!"

We laughed about it and I began thinking about my favorite moment again.  Even as I sit here thinking about it, I can't come up with a single moment that blew all the others away.  It was a great trip.  We had all sorts of fun, from checking out the deer when we first got there to sight casting reds, wading for trout, sunrises on the water, and all the moments in between where we were fishing and catching!

I can identify a few highlights and catching a 26" red ranks right up there.  Last year, it was pretty easy,  My personal best 31" red followed immediately by my new and current personal best 41" red.  I was excited this year at the possibility of adding a couple new species to my list, but that was not in the cards for me.  I was also excited about the possibility of catching while sight casting.  While I can't say this is a new technique for me, I can say that I only try it once a year or so and relatively speaking, I haven't done a whole lot of saltwater fishing.  Wade fishing is another means that until this weekend has never produced for me.

I find it interesting that success or favorites can mean so many different things to different people.  I feel like even though I wasn't successful at sight casting, I learned a few things, which is success in the making.  In my new kayak endeavor, I hope to be able to perfect these techniques. Here are a few things I learned this weekend.

• When sight casting previously, I threw at mullet jumping and things that broke the surface in the hope that whatever was chasing them would chase my lure too.  I knew in my heart that this was not the right course of action, but never really knew what else to do.
• The key is patience.  Look for dark spots.  I think I have always thought these were just rocks or grass clumps. Sometimes they appear and re-appear. 
• Don't get too distracted by movement. Look for those dark spots, then zero in on weather or not it moves or seems to float forward and back or side to side.  If the water is clear enough, you can make them out plain as day.
• Accurate casting is a must.  I am much more accurate with a baitcaster, but we were using spinning gear.  I can however usually get a better presentation out of spinning gear, but that didn't seem to make a difference.  I drug an Unfair Shrimp over the back of a +/-24" Redfish.  I was surprised I didn't foul hook it.  As soon as it flopped over, the big red swirled and headed for deeper water. 
• Even when you have a better understanding of how this works and what to look for, it's not an easy process.  The fish has to want to eat, and it has to want to eat what you throw at it.  

The first redfish I caught was a tailing red.  Chuck pointed it out and said throw your bait up in front of it.  I did and caught it.  To this day, I don't know if I hooked him or he hooked me.  It was about 10 years before I saw another tailing redfish, though there were many reds caught in between.  My brother and I found a bunch of tailing reds one morning a few years ago.  I threw everything in my tackle box at them, but not one bite.  I have come to the belief that if they have found a good food source, they aren't going to be distracted by anything else.

Most kids measure success by results and only results.  Learning through failure is a tough pill to swallow, but for a kid it seems to be even tougher.  Cole didn't have any fun while we were sight casting.  He spent most of his time trolling off the back of the boat or just sitting there watching and asking can we go somewhere else? On the other hand, I can't wait to do it again.  I can taste it, like blood in the water!  I know I'm close.

So, I guess I will continue to mull it over.  There will be more details to come on this trip later in the week in 46 Outdoors Adventure Files, like why was Cole asleep when he caught his MONSTER TROUT and for that matter, was it a MONSTER TROUT or just a trout.

For now, I guess the 26" red, breaking the ice on wading, and some lessons learned while sight casting (that brings about the feeling that I am closer to sight CATCHING) are the best parts of the trip.  Then again, maybe as a parent, the best moments for me are those spent with him living his best moments... Who knows if I will settle on a favorite? I'm okay with it if I don't!

Any tips for sight casting? Comment below or on Facebook and let us know!

Lower Barriers To Hunting & Fishing Opportunities

A nice little winter bass for Cole at Boerne Lake.
Photo: Chris Carson

Last week, a blog post caught my eye and I only skimmed over it with the intention of getting back to it later.  Of course, I can't find it now.  However, it touched on my post that I wrote earlier in the week Grumpy Old Men: Retirement or Bucket List. 

Basically the post outlined the decline in hunting and fishing licenses sold in Minnesota.  I don't remember the statistics, but it is safe to say that there is a HUGE decline in hunting and fishing in that state.  It seems alarming to me that a place as wild as Minnesota would experience this sort of decline.  The other point that it made was that many states are making it MORE DIFFICULT to hunt or fish.

As a community, outdoor enthusiasts must work to turn the tide on this situation.  You may not think that this is an issue for you in your state, but you are probably wrong.  Early this year, I attended a Angler's Education Course to be certified as an instructor through Texas Parks & Wildlife.  One of the things we discussed in that course was the fact that license sales and the sale of hunting and fishing merchandise were declining across the country as a whole and that programs like the one we were training for and others across the country depend on the taxes levied on outdoor products and funds collected from license sales to exist.  I'm not going to waste my time or yours with statistics in this post.  I will research it in depth at some point and provide some concrete evidence, but here in Texas, those numbers are declining as well.

Caitlyn Glassing the South Texas brush for a deer.

The connection made between the two posts was that we should be lowering barriers to hunting and fishing opportunities (adventure), not increasing them.  Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating repealing game laws or licensing requirements, but our legislators and wildlife agencies should be looking for ways to remove barriers wherever possible.  One way could be to build more neighborhood ponds and small lakes.  When I was a kid, there were public archery ranges in parks in San Antonio. There are dedicated Archery Parks in Alabama (and I'm sure other states as well).

"The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Archery Trade Association and local communities have developed 10 community archery parks. The parks are located throughout the state and feature a variety of shooting distances and targets." - outdooralabama.com 

Even a cranky teenager
cracks a smile and lets down
 her guard outdoors.
Photo: Chris Carson

Many times now, the problem is access.  I don't practice shooting my bow as much as I would like to because I share a backyard fence with no fewer than 5 neighbors.  Granted, they are privacy fences and I am not shooting any crazy distances (at least not there), but I don't want to have my kids out there shooting either because sometimes, you never know where that arrow is going.  We usually relegate our shooting to the lease or our demo range behind the store.  I haven't looked, but my guess is there is a city ordinance against such things.  The program outlined above would be a great way to increase access to outdoor activities and provide a safe practice range for bowhunters and archery enthusiasts.

Yesterday, I was just thinking about the lack of opportunities for good fishing around San Antonio. There are creeks and lakes around town, but most are a little suspect.  Too many people, too much trash, too much drinking and partying, not enough fish. More importantly, not a place I want to take my kids.  Although, I will say that yesterday, I did take Cole to a small pond close to the house and we had a pleasant afternoon. We didn't catch any fish, but Cole had fun chasing and catching frogs. But I'm talking about places you can launch a kayak and fish for few hours after work without an hour drive.

Uncle Chuck teaching Cole
the "rod holder method".
Video: Chris Carson

We travel to Austin and the surrounding communities quite a bit for baseball.  I have noticed that they have done what seems like a fantastic job of adding ponds to their park facilities.  In addition to  Lake Travis and Lake Austin, there is Decker Lake, Lady Bird Lake, Granger Lake, and numerous ponds in parks and communities off the top of my head.  I am assuming these are for flood and erosion control in many instances.  San Antonio has Olmos Basin (which only holds water in flood events), along with Woodlawn Lake, Calaveras, and Braunig.  All of which are on the opposite side of town from me and tend to be crowded and over-fished.  Not to mention somebody usually drives a car into Woodlawn Lake at least once a year.

San Antonio has done an outstanding job developing the creeks into a linear parks system called greenways.  It's a great concept that links parks via the creeks with walking/running/riding trails including some off the beaten path segments for hikers, mountain bikers, and BMXers.  We have enjoyed them immensely and look forward to more park development as what is there is becoming more and more crowded.  I do think and hope that more ponds and possibly some archery ranges could easily be incorporated.

Big smile anticipating a great fishing trip
and it was.
Photo: Chris Carson

With the myriad of things wrong with the leadership in this country, it seems like this should be the least of our worries.  However, there are those that seek to destroy our way of life (and it is a way of life Why Do I Hunt & Fish? It's A Way Of Life ), by limiting our access to these activities if not removing them altogether.  I see it everywhere... Last night, I was watching a rerun of CSI and a deer hunter was continually referred to as a "deer hater".  Add CSI to the list of shows and movies I no longer want to watch.  Don't even get me started on the trash I see on Facebook or what I have seen removed.

We live in uncertain times.  This country is changing and life as we know it will not be the same for our kids and grandkids much the way ours differs from our ancestors.  A hundred years ago, nobody would have thought twice about seeing a dead animal.  Nobody questioned the natural cycle of life or that humans are at their core predators.  But, in this day and age that all seems to be up for debate.

So, ask your local politicians where they stand on these issues. Pressure city and county leaders to incorporate lakes and ponds and ask your state wildlife officials to stock them.  Texas Parks and Wildlife has a program for this purpose called Neighborhood Fishin'.  This is an excellent way to connect kids to the outdoors.

All the photos in this post are my kids enjoying the outdoors.  Can you imagine an America where this would be frowned upon?  To some folks, it already is frowned upon.  Note the smiles that never would have happened if it were not for these trips!  Video games, computers, and indoor activities don't generate these sort of responses.  Would you frame a photo of your kids playing on a cell phone or snap a quick pic of high score on a video game?

If you have any relevant ideas or program ideas, let us know in the comments below or on Facebook.

A great fishing trip out of Port Mansfield, TX.  Cole's first saltwater trip.  A Texas Slam for the weekend.
Photos: Chris Carson

Summer Bassin: 5 Tips To Ensure Success

A little late Summer Fishing with the kids.
Photo: Chris Carson

Summertime bass patterns do test the patience of many anglers.  We have a tendency in our fast food drive thru, cell phone, spell check, auto correct, "google it" kind of world we live in these days to expect, not just want, but EXPECT immediate results without paying attention to details.  Well, summer bass are all about the details and taking their sweet time.

Summer is that season we look forward to, then complain it's too hot to do anything.  I have often heard the phrase "too hot to fish" tossed around. The reality, or at least my reality is that it's NEVER too hot to fish.  That is like saying it's too cold to hunt.  That's absurd!

Here are 5 tips to help get those lazy summertime bass to bite. 

Know where the fish are. Good electronics help immensely, but having good maps aerial photos, and other intel can be a great help too. Use your jigheads and C-rigs to "feel" the bottom and search for cover. The old saying (I call it the 90/10 rule) goes "90 % of the fish can be found in 10% of the water".  It applies here and is even more important in summer bass fishing. The fact is that when you catch one on a stump or ledge or a grass edge, there is a better chance that you will catch another there than casting out in a different direction.  Does the term "honey hole" ring a bell?  Something brings those fish in day after day, year after year. 
Fish deep.  Colder water holds oxygen better.  Fish deep structure such as ledges, humps, subtle changes in bottom contour, and changes in bottom composition (mud, rock).  If you can find cover (submerged boulders, trees, stumps, etc.) on any of these areas, you may have found the spot on the spot.
Fish slow. Slow is usually the key.  Many times "finesse" baits are productive.  These baits are typically small and impart very little action in presentation.  A big lazy bass doesn't want to work for it's meal this time of year; it wants an easy meal that won't put up a fight.  One of my favorite finesse presentations is to dead stick a curly tail grub on a shakey head jig. I will throw it out there and let the current wave the tail.  No other movement.  About every thirty seconds or so, I drag it about 2- 3 feet SLOWLY across the bottom. Most of the time you have to put it right in front of their face, or you won't get bit.
Find aerated water.  Aerated water holds more active fish.  Water falls, rapids, moving water, fountains, even boat traffic creates aerated water.  Obviously, areas with high boat traffic are not going to be ideal to fish, but it works.  Last week, my kids and I were goofing around on the kayak.  We were taking turns paddling out to the "No Wake Zone" buoy where the jet skiers were having a blast when I noticed a few fish jumping on the surface, so I tied on an Unfair Lures Rip N Slash and trolled it behind the yak and hammered a couple keeper bass and a few dinks in about 10 minutes.  No electronics, no nothing... Just knew it was aerated water because of all the jet ski traffic.
Fish the low light hours.  Don't overlook the low light hours either.  Those fish will be up in the shallows chasing baitfish in the mornings and evenings.  Still a great time for the topwater bite.  But, it will usually fade quickly when the sun gets up. 

Photo: Bryan Taylor

Yes, the dog days of summer are a tough time to catch bass, but more often than not, it's an issue of not knowing where or how to target them.  Think deep, think slow, think subtle and subdued.

Most of all, get on the water and have some fun.  There is no better way to beat the heat than by catching a few bass. When you've had all the heat you can handle, take a dip.  Cool off and get back to fishing.  Take the kiddos, they will have a blast and more than likely, they will outlast you!

Adventure Files: Learning to Fish From A Kayak

Recently, I celebrated a birthday... I turned a whopping 46 years old.  The kayak fishing adventure has just begun for me.  I have no earthly idea why it has taken me so long to see a kayak as an acceptable vessel for fishing.  I fished from canoes as a kid.  Banging around all over the place, we tied it off to trees, trolled, drifted along fishing Rat L Traps and creating great memories.  One would think that fishing from a kayak would be the next logical step. Fortunately, I came to my senses, so, I embarked on another kayak journey with Cole in celebration of my 46 years on this earth.

I was looking forward to doing some fishing, but I knew that still only having one kayak, that was not going to be a real possibility.  I really wanted Cole to experience the kayak as well. I took him along knowing that he would monopolize the time in the kayak, and leaving him to fish by himself on shore while I tooled around the cove fishing was a monumentally bad idea for a multitude of reasons, though it did cross my mind. Fortunately for both of us, I'm slightly more intelligent than that!

The planning for this little adventure being what it was found me at Wal Mart at 11 PM on my birthday eve purchasing a new paddle because of our paddle fail chronicled in Adventure Files: Kayak Fail (not so much) Part 2.  I found a small Propel paddle for just the right price at $23.87.  This will make a great stow away paddle when my new kayak and paddle arrive at Twisted Oak.

A boy and a borrowed kayak
Photo Chris Carson

The next morning, Cole and I headed back to Canyon Lake again.  The water was back to a more normal level.  Boat ramps were open again and most of the picnic tables were out of the water.  The water had receded about 60 yards or so since the last time we were there.  The wind was blowing out of the South at about 15-20 mph. The water was a little choppy in the cove we were in, but we handled it well.  I was a bit nervous about getting broadside to the wind, but the Aquaterra proved to be pretty stable given how narrow it is.

I must admit, I am beginning to like the Aquaterra more and more.  I still can't wait for my Malibu Stealth 14 to come in, alas, I must have patience.  In the meantime, I will enjoy this kayak and milk it for whatever lessons I can gain and use it to teach Cole water safety and how to position the boat for a multitude of scenarios.

The first thing I realized today is the importance of an anchoring system.  On our previous trip, the wind was calm and we could have easily positioned the yak.  Today, I showed him how to read the current to set up a drift since we had no anchor.  Without a drift anchor this also proved to be difficult as we were moving way to fast to be effective (especially in the summer when fishing deep and slow is usually the key).

The Anchor Rock   Photo: Chris Carson

After a bit of frustration, I fashioned an anchor from some parachute cord and rock.  I was inspired by a post on Facebook by Eugene Mora.  It wasn't pretty, but it was effective.  Notice above that I said an "anchoring system".  "System" is a key word here as without an anchor trolley to move the anchor to the back or front of the boat depending on how I wanted to position the boat, I spent most of my time broadside to the wind.

I also quickly realized that dumping a 15 lb. rock overboard with no anchor line management system was a good way for Cole to lose a finger.  Loose rope laying around with a heavy object tied to it is not a safe practice.  

 

Kayak Crate   Photo: Chris Carson

In other news, the kayak crate that I made awhile back worked well.  Although the Aquaterra is lacking in places to stow such an item, we strapped it down with bungees and made the best of it. Cole accidentally flipped it once trying to get out of it in deeper than he thought water. But, the crate stayed in place, one of the rods actually never left the rod holder.  All other contents floated long enough to recover easily, none the worse for wear.

Anchor line management is a different animal altogether though... I'm open for ideas, so comment below or on Facebook and give me your thoughts.

This trip was an exercise in getting a feel for fishing from a kayak.  Figuring out what works and what doesn't was the goal. There are many nuances such as casting angles and gear management that must be re-learned and mastered from a kayak.  For instance learning to flip a jig while sitting at water level will be interesting I'm sure! It's all part of the journey and I look forward to it! 

There were no fish injured or otherwise harmed in this excursion.

46 Outdoors Prepare and Pursue Hunting Checklist for July

Photo: Chris Carson

July in Texas... What can anyone say about July in Texas?  It's hot and miserable, but if you love the outdoors, you embrace the heat.  Heat is part of deal here in the Lonestar State.  When the fireworks are over, it's a grind to get through the dog days of summer to those first few "cool fronts" usually in late August that plunge temps into the lower 90's.  I have always looked forward to August 15 as the date that the tide turns on the heat of summer.

As hot as it is, there are still things that must be done to PREPARE for the upcoming hunting season, and even better, there are still species to PURSUE.

A couple words of caution... Stay hydrated and keep an eye peeled for snakes!


Check out your 46 Outdoors Prepare and Pursue Fishing Checklist for April...

• Water... is the highest priority.  Make sure there is a water source available.  If you have windmills and tanks, make sure everything is in working order. Bring some water in if you must.  Poly tanks are pretty inexpensive. Use the low profile tanks so that fawns can drink too.  That mature monster buck you want to shoot 5 or 6 years from now is just a fawn or yearling today. Clear out vegetation around tanks so that wildlife has easy access and good escape routes from predators.  
• Blinds... Finish those pesky repairs and new set ups.  If you've waited this long, shame on you! However sometimes the heat of summer brings about issues, get them fixed as they arise so that you don't have a problem on opening day.  Don't forget the wasp spray or you likely won't get near your blind.
• Feeders... I typically start bumping up my feed times about now.  Much of the vegetation is dying off and things are dry.  A little more food will keep more animals around this time of year, but if you don't have water, you won't have animals either.
• Feed The Roads... I like to feed the roads whenever I go the lease this time of year.  Deer are establishing patterns now that will carry through until the rut.  Even in areas where the deer go to acorns in the Fall, you will have more deer in your area if you feed roads. However, if you have cattle on your lease and you feed the roads, you will feed the cows, so skip this if that is the case for you. 
• Feeder Pens...  Make sure you feeders are penned up.  Cattle and hogs will do a number on you equipment if you don't.
• Hunt for predators, and hogs... I'm not going to the lease without hunting something. Many times that means night hunting.  Keep that fawn crop healthy by keeping those predators at bay.  I have seen a hog run off with a fawn too, so use this opportunity to put some pork chops on the table.

Photo: Chris Carson

If you've been keeping up with the Prepare and Pursue checklist, July should be a piece of cake.  I do my best to get most of these things done in the cooler months so that when I make my trip to the lease in July, all I have to do is feed the feeders and roads morning, and nap in the afternoon.  Then in the evening, I take the family on a little wildlife drive. Watch the sunset over the mesquite and head out for some night hunting. The rest of the month, you can usually find me on the water somewhere. If you haven't figured it out yet, that's the beauty of the list.  It allows me to spend most of the summer fishing!

We carry a few products at Twisted Oak to help you with the night hunting.  From lighting solutions by Sniper Hog Lights to predator calls, hog attractants, and bug spray, we have what you need.