GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS B3

Young anglers see the light,

rack up on specks, reds, flatfish

GALVESTON -- Usually, In all, Brandon Marcantel Over at the Galveston jetties,

When an angler or a group of an- caught 10 specks, one keeper Capt. Mike Horton of Brand

glers catch more fish than redfish and 17 sand trout, and X put the Ron Parker party

anyone else, it can be said they his buddy, Sam Guarino, also of six on 25 bull redfish during

turned their competition green decked 10 speckled trout along an early Friday 4-hour trip.

with envy. On Saturday, when with two redfish and 17 One of the redfish was tagged,

three area youngsters finished sandies, and all with the help and they all went for mullet.

Their day on the upside, green Of the underwater aquatic Elsewhere, an Angler Educa-

was a topic of conversation, but lighting system. tion. Instructor Course will be

evny was nowhere to be found. As for the system itself held Saturday from 8:30 a.m.

These anglers simply saw Aquatic Attractors are the to 4:30 p.m. at the Galveston

the light, and so did the fish. brainchild by Lou Grandolfo County Agriculture Extension

Indeed, anglers Randy and Aquatic Attractors Inc. of Office at 5115 State Highway 3

Raper, Brandon Marcantel Galveston, (409) 933-4438, and in Dickinson.

and Sam Guarino did a are permanently installed un- The workshop, provided by

number on speckled trout, red- derwater lights that bring fish the Texas Parks and Wildlife

fish, flounder and sand trout, “like nothing you’ve seen be- Department, is for adult educa-

and while the threesome are fore.” tors and volunteers who would

certainly quality fishermen, “You will not believe your like to teach other individuals

their performances were aided eyes,” Grandolfo said Saturday mainly children, how to fish.

by some lights. Green lights. afternoon. “But they do come This new hands-on program

Thanks to an “underwater with a warning.” is geared for classroom

lighting system” known appro- And what a warning. Essen- teachers and youth group

priately enough as “Aquatic At- tially, Grandolfo says his com- leaders who want to help

tractors,” the youthful anglers pany will not be responsible others experience the fun, ex-

caught limits and near limits of anyone who “loses sleep due to citement and adventure of

speckled trout and redfish fish gazing, has unfinished sportfishing and is free to all

along with a smattering of chores or is plagued with over- The participants will receive

flounder and crowding by relatives or cirriculum and resource mate-

a mess of friends.” rials upon arrival.

sand trout. In other area fishing news, Some of the workshop high-

Ten-year- another youngster who did lights included in this impor-

old Randy nicely Friday night was Kyle tant event are fish identifica-

Vince Raper started Butler who caught and re- tion, tackle and equipment,

Stiglich Jr. the hit pa- leased five redfish in West Bay ethics and responsibility, an-

__________ rade with a behind Spanish Grant. No gling rules and regulations,

Fishing Report big catch other details were offered on fish biology/behavior, aquatic

from a set of Aquatic At- the haul. ecology, angler safety, class-

tractor lights at his parents’ Yet another youth with a room activities, fishing tech

Tiki Island home, including great catch did his thing at the niques and conservation.

a nice size flounder and four Galveston Fishing Pier. Ac- For registration or more in-

sand trout, and that was cording to staffer Pat Al- formation, call Chris Lena at

followed up by two 14-year- bertson,10-year-old Mark (800) 792-1112+1 (then ask for

old anglers who caught Phelps decked on bull redfish Ext. 4755), or (512) 389-4755.

Limits of speckled trout, (released), a drum, two Individuals who are planning

nice numbers of legal red- gafftops and 30 croakers. to partake in this event are

fish and some sand trout. “He was a very happy little asked to arrive promptly at

boy when he left here,” Al 8:15 a.m.

bertson noted.