User Meeting Fishing Trip

Second GSI Annual Users Group

Fishing Report

December 7, 2010

Well, the 2010 GSI Fishing trip has come and gone and it was a SUCCESS!  We shattered all previous records:  most fish, largest fish, best weather, most grins.  If you were not there, you missed out.

We boarded the Texsun II at Pier 19 at 1:30 p.m. and after a short pep talk by the captain, headed out of the bay.  After a 40 min. run we stopped just outside of the South Galveston Jetty and dropped lines and in about 30 foot of water.  We were using squid and sardines.  First drop and my wife caught the first fish, an 8 inch whiting.  No way was she throwing that fish back.  I think everyone heard the mantra “Save the little ones for me!”  (Small whiting are a good eating fish and prized by those in the know here on the Texas coast.)  The currents were not really favorable and after a reasonable period - there were no other fish caught and the Capt. hoisted anchor and we went looking again.  Petroleum predators on the prowl.

We moved several miles over to the North Jetty but fared no better.  Well actually we fared worse --  not even a whiting.  Other than the weather, things were going much as they did last year.

We moved again and dropped anchor at a break in the jetty where the water pours through during tidal movement.  This is a noted hot spot though we tried it last year with no luck - our skill did not pay off. 

Within a few minutes, James Howard hooked up and it was clear that it was a good, doubling the stiff boat rod over.  He caught a really healthy looking, pretty fish with its copper back and defining black spot on the tail.    

Then it was Bill Egg’s turn.  He landed one nearly as large as James’ fish.  I think Bill somehow caught my fish. 

About this time my wife caught her second fish.  A 4 inch gobi which I promptly confiscated for fresh bait.  It did me no good.  Nothing ever touched it.

Then my brother, Jim Calvert, hooked up.  Jim is a Master Naturalist and works at Sea Center, the red fish hatchery in Lake Jackson, just south of Houston.  They breed and release millions of red fish back into the wild each year.  Jim generously passed his rod off to Jerry Han who obviously knew nothing about fishing but put on quite a show for all of you, especially a nervous captain who did not want to see an expensive boat rod lost over the side.  But Jerry gamely took advice and fought that big fish in.  Way to go Jerry, nice fish.  It was the second largest of the day at about 40 inches and probably 36 to 38 lbs.  Jerry can never plead ignorance of fishing again.  He has caught a trophy size fish and is now a seasoned angler.  He also gets the award for the biggest smile.

Then Bill Egg hooked up again.  He generously passed this one off to the one person who was not part of our party.  I don’t know who he was but this fish was the smallest of the big fish at about 36 inches.

Way to go, gang.  A good trip and a good way to cap off our 2^nd Annual Users Meeting.  Hope this report encourages some of you who did not come this year to come next.  World quality simulation and world quality trophy fishing to boot!