Port Aransas « Tosh Brown's Hunting Fishing and Outdoor Photography Blog


	Posts Tagged ‘Port Aransas’ Alex Was a Butthead Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 *This entry is about the incredibly cool photos that I didn’t get* I’m normally neck-deep in redfish this time of year, and there’s typically a matter of protocol that goes along with that pursuit. When I arrive in Port Aransas each June, I first spend a few days fishing–just fishing. No cameras allowed. I have an infirmity for tailing, waking, and noodling redfish; but before I can get serious about photographing, I’ve got to stick hooks in a few of them. Sorry, but that’s how it goes. Why not just fish and keep the camera handy? I’ve tried that and it doesn’t work. It causes a prickly and unpleasant conflict between church and state. I’m pleased to report that the protocol started off very well, this year. I had five days of glass calm, sunny skies, and perfect tides. I got all of the catching out of my system and I was gearing up for a week of serious photography… But then Alex came calling. He pushed three feet of Starbucks-colored water onto the flats, kicked the wind up to sixty, and forced me indoors for the remainder of my redfish window. So, in keeping with my obligation to provide you all with stirring content, each month, I’ve pulled a few favorite shots from my redfish archive to show you what I would have been shooting if Alex hadn’t trashed the protocol. Honestly, I’d like to blame the whole thing on that goofball Jim Cantore, but he’s only responsible for the spinning mass of hot air that comes from the Weather Channel, not the tropics. *This photo was NOT taken during Hurricane Alex* *Neither was this one* *New photo….(not)* *From last year’s collection* *A golden oldie* Tags: fly fishing, Port Aransas, redfish, salt water Posted in Saltwater Fly Fishing \| No Comments » In Search of Big-Ass Fish Friday, September 4th, 2009 In August I tagged along during the Texas Legends Billfish Tournament on a boat called Catchin’ Up out of Port Aransas. Being that this was a money tournament, and because the money fish in Texas live a long dang way from the dock, we packed along our toothbrushes and called it a 260-mile roundtrip sleepover. We were blessed with glorious weather during the days. But at night—when we needed to sleep? Not so much. From dusk to dawn, both nights, we had 4-5 footers running one direction and a 15-knot current running the other. Even with our chute deployed, we could never get the boat to turn completely downsea. Beyond that minor inconvenience (hurl) we ate well, the boat was fabulous, the BS level was quality, and we caught a few fish, to boot. About 4am on our our first night, Bob Johnson was keeping watch when a juvenile broadbill snacked on one of the light stick rigs. A 50-pounder had won the swordfish pot the year before so we were hopeful that this one might also qualify. At noon the next day we put a wahoo in the box, and later we had a brief fight with a money fish. It wasn’t a huge blue, but a marlin release would have racked up some needed points. We had her on for about six jumps (during which I fired one frame) and then she was off. When we got back to the dock we learned that we were no more wealthy than when we left. A 145-pound broadbill won that pot, and one of the boats had released 4 billfish. Thanks to Hank, Bob, Bucky, Hobbs, and Mickey for letting me hang out and shoot some pics. Click here to see the full photo spread. *Captain Bucky Bonner watching the spread* *Sunset 130 miles from the dock* *Bob Johnson setting rods at daybreak* *My one image of a greyhounding pile of cash* *Port Aransas locals watching the weigh-in* Tags: billfish, blue marlin, broadbill, deepsea, Gulf of Mexico, offshore, Port Aransas, salt water, swordfish, tournament, trolling Posted in Saltwater Fishing \| 1 Comment » Unplugged in the Neo-Tropics Sunday, July 5th, 2009 Key West This was our seventeenth year (parents, siblings, kids, et al) with the same dates, same guides, and undoubtedly some of the same tarpon. In some years we’ve hit it perfectly (late May/early June) and in other years the planets were mis-aligned. We had some goofy west winds and poor visibility that hindered a few days, this year, but the tarpon performed on cue when the conditions were right. Click here to see a few shots from this year’s Key West Trip. These are Redfish At the end of June, the wife/kids and I arrived in Port Aransas for our annual redfish sabbatical. For six straight days we had glass calm flats that were covered with tailing fish. And then, by divine coincidence, the blasting winds arrived right alongside the annual migration of July 4th revelers. As I sit typing this report, the ferries are carrying those crowds away and the winds are forecast to lay again by Tuesday. Click here for a sampling of what I’ve shot, so far. Need Upland Bird Images? This month I’m featuring images from my upland bird hunting archive. If you need shots of pointing dogs, prairie hunters or flushing birds, I’ve got a large selection of images From Montana to the Texas Brush Country. Coming Up Later this month I’ll be putting the rods away for a quick assignment shoot for one of the outdoor television networks. By some miracle they’ve managed to gather their entire fall talent lineup into a single location for a two-day media event. I’m glad I wasn’t the one in charge of scheduling that one. The shots will be a mix of candids and stages that will be used for their 2009-10 ad campaigns. Check back next month to see the images from that shoot. All of these shots are available (really big) by FTP delivery and I can usually get them to you within minutes as long as I’m not too far from my desk. Stock usage rates are priced on request. Drop in and have a look… Tags: Florida, Florida Keys, fly fishing, kayak, Key West, Port Aransas, quail hunting, redfish, salt water, tarpon, Texas, upland birds Posted in Saltwater Fly Fishing, Upland Bird Hunting \| No Comments »