This is the first time since I started compiling information for the Reel Report that our fishing reports were not of catches but were surveys of the Galveston Bay Complex for evidence of fish kills.
Hopefully, this will not occur again for a long time. We are, however, appreciative of the feedback from anglers who took the time to check out certain areas for evidence of dead fish.
Brenda Myers, of Hitchcock, sent a note saying the diversionary canal that runs from West Bay to beyond Hitchcock was full of dead fish.
Later, I received a note from Coe Parker, president of the West End Anglers Club, reporting on his survey of the same canal, and he found dead fish, mostly mullet, covering a 1-mile stretch.
Other parts of the waterway, including near the Harborwalk and FM 2004 bridges, did not show any signs of dead fish.
Parker also surveyed Jones Lake, the Intracoastal Waterway, Meacom’s and Greens cuts, Greens Lake, Karankawa Cut and Lake and Chocolate Bay. No signs of a fish-kill in those areas.
Rick Wegman and Opa Miller surveyed deep holes around Offatts Bayou along with Seawolf Park, Pelican Island and the Santa Fe Railroad Bridge next to the causeway. The only sign of a fish kill was a number of dead spadefish near Texas A&M at Galveston. Capt.
Lloyd Pepper reported everything in good shape in the canals at Terramar.
Lake Madeline had a few scatted mullet floating on the surface, and one large trout was noticed swimming near the surface in a stunned condition. Moses Lake appeared to be clear of any loss of game fish.
We will be receiving an update from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on their findings.
At this point, it appears there was a minimal fish kill; however, it may take a few more days to get a reliable indication as that is when the deeper fish will start to surface.
We often receive interesting stories and poems from readers that cannot be published due to space limitations. With the lack of actual fishing reports today, I want to pass on a poem sent by Hector Medrano, of Galveston, that caught my attention. It is called “The Fisherman’s Prayer.”
“God grant that I may live to fish until my dying day, and when it comes to my last cast, I most humbly pray that when in the Lord’s safe landing net, I am perfectly asleep and in his mercy I be judged big enough to keep.”
To get your catch in the Reel Report, phone Capt. Joe Kent at 409-683-5273, or send an e-mail to reel.report(at)galvnews.com. There’s no charge for this service.