Just added you to my contacts...hope to fish with you in the future!

Best of luck on your new venture!

Best of luck to you! Congrats on the new career path. What BT are you running?

SA_Ag93 said:

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Just added you to my contacts...hope to fish with you in the future!

Best of luck on your new venture!

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I hope we can make it happen! The weather last week and this week (so far) has me itching to get back on the water.

LRHF said:

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Glad to see another guide on the OB! Look forward to seeing some pics and stories soon!

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Thanks amigo! I need to get up to your neck of the woods soon.

That sounds like a great skiff. I've fished a Vengenace quite a bit but never an osprey. Was going to buy a mosquito before my skiff fell into our lap. Keep us updated and check out the saltwater fly fishing thread:

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2666913

The Laguna Madre is a trip I'd like to take. My soon to be eight year old son is a big fisherman who I'd want to take. He's grown up catching fish in Bay St. Louis, Galveston, Couer D'Alene, and various lakes here in Texas. He tried fly fishing camp this past summer, but I'd be nervous the real deal would be a little advanced for his age unless you think otherwise. I'll reach out through IG, regardless.

Your post really resonates with me. I get it. I try and spend as much time on our boat as possible w my son. He throws the fly just a bit and, while I'd never say don't take a trip w your son,….booking a bunch of fly fishing days for sight casting reds w a young guy is playing with fire. They just don't have the patience and skills and resilience to try and sight cast reds at that age (shoot, many grown men who are great traditional fishermen don't have that set of traits). You'll risk burning him out and he will dread going on the boat because he doesn't catch much or anything. He won't like reeling in fish you hook because "they aren't his". Trust me on this.

If you're gonna take him on some fly trips, go for it, but make a deal up front with him that for every sightcasting trip you do together (fly or spin), you'll take him on a bait trip to catch the heck out of everything, and tell that captain "take him where he can reel in fish till he can't lift his arms ".

Little dudes have to have the action or they get bored. At 8, also consider a 1/2 day trip for him, you could even drop him off at the dock w mom at lunch and finish out your day solo if your guide is up for that and can plan a fishing program to make that happen w advance notice.

As far as getting him going on the fly to get better skills for sightcasting reds in the salt, get him a 4 or 5 wt and wear the bass and panfish out at your local pond or lake. Learn to control the loop and make basic shots and after a few years of that he will be better equipped to have more success in the salt game.

Happy to help offline if you ever want to talk strategy on how to light the fly fishing fire in your son without smothering it before it gets going. PM me or post up some contact info. Best of luck!

tx5standfan said:

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The Laguna Madre is a trip I'd like to take. My soon to be eight year old son is a big fisherman who I'd want to take. He's grown up catching fish in Bay St. Louis, Galveston, Couer D'Alene, and various lakes here in Texas. He tried fly fishing camp this past summer, but I'd be nervous the real deal would be a little advanced for his age unless you think otherwise. I'll reach out through IG, regardless.

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Like Boogs said, a 1/2 day would be a great idea. I'm pretty flexible, if he is having a great time and you wanted to extend the trip we could always do that on the fly. I also always like to keep a spin rod handy just in case, I would definitely do that with your little guy.

There's also times of the year where tailing black drum over sand (think bonefishing) get pretty reliable. I've taken folks wading to them within 10'. That kind of visual game may really hold his interest and give him plenty of realistic shots as well.

tx5standfan said:

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The Laguna Madre is a trip I'd like to take. My soon to be eight year old son is a big fisherman who I'd want to take. He's grown up catching fish in Bay St. Louis, Galveston, Couer D'Alene, and various lakes here in Texas. He tried fly fishing camp this past summer, but I'd be nervous the real deal would be a little advanced for his age unless you think otherwise. I'll reach out through IG, regardless.

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hire a boat on a trout river with lots of fish like the Arkansas.

Good luck on this new chapter. I will be adding you to my contacts as well.

Gunny456 said:

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Good luck on your endeavors. Being in the fishing boat marine business for almost 40 years I have seen lots of guys try to make a living guiding or professionally fishing.
Seen some make it and seen some fail. The ones who made it had a legitimate plan and prepared for it.
Sounds like you have done your due diligence and have done that well….. plus your an Aggie and will do great.
I will help spread the word for you within my world and business.
Congrats man on doing this. May God bless you in your endeavors.

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Thanks Gunny, I truly appreciate that!

Keep us updated on trips. We had a guy in the Rockport/Fulton area two summers ago that really was not on his game. We were staying in Port A. I will certainly keep you in mind the next time we are down.

Yes sir.

ENG said:

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Keep us updated on trips. We had a guy in the Rockport/Fulton area two summers ago that really was not on his game. We were staying in Port A. I will certainly keep you in mind the next time we are down.

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It would be honor to earn your business and get y'all on some fish!

Good luck. BTs are great poling skiff, I had a Beavertail and I regret selling it.

My husband is a full time guide out of POC, his dream career as well. Enjoy!

Congratulations Hunter! I look forward to meeting you in the future. Hopefully we can work on some articles together. Greg Past President & Board Chair, Texas Outdoor Writers Association

Thanks for the well wishes Jen!

Would love to make that happen bigredfish!

Happy Sunday all, it's a foggy Sunday here on the coast which made it prime time for article/blog writing for the outfitter I'm under. I try to write one once a month. This is my third and I'm still getting my footing under me, would love to get yalls thoughts and feedback.

https://docsfishingclinic.com/blog/f/practice-makes-pretty-damn-good

Good article.
I would add: establish whether your guide is calling the distance from the angler or the poling platform before you leave the dock. I've had guides do it both ways.

A cheap remote control car is a great practice casting target. It isn't ever at exact 5-10 foot distances (same as the fish) and you can have someone run it at "Redfish Speed" in different directions.

Agreed on setting a baseline early on for sure. I love that idea on the RC car, I could see that being extremely effective!

I have fished with Marcus before. Good dude! Hopefully we'll fish with you sooner than later. Good luck with the venture!