01-15-2019 PACK Meeting
Our usual meet and greet was held at Goode Co. BBQ. The meeting convened at the Sosa Community Center. 2019 PACK President Chris Arceneaux welcomed visitors, guests, members and speaker Mark DeLaRosa. The 2019 board was introduced. Member Steve Spadoni will be helping webmaster Bruce Berhens with packtx.org website content. Chris acknowledged the work and contributions to the successful 2018 End-of-Year / Christmas Holiday Party, especially Brad Valtierra's Photo Booth.
The Jan. 2019 Safety Moment was a discussion on going out kayak fishing alone or with a buddy in light of the tragic loss of life involving kayak fisherman Dr. Charles Ferguson. Authorities were not aware of his situation until his family reported him not checking in. The talk included filing a float plan with loved-ones, have a waterproof VHF Radio and phone in a dry bag in a life jacket pocket, and wearing a life jacket. Member Steve Spadoni introduced a breakthrough in technology, the Life360 smartphone app. https://www.life360.com/ Steve noted that If an individual need immediate assistance, Life360 will dispatch emergency services to their exact location and stay on the line until help arrives. They will notify emergency contacts and “circle” members such as fishing buddies who are familiar with the area.
The only fishing report provided was a brief report from Chris fishing the Bolivar Marsh on New Years day with a buddy. Fish were caught, but only after the tide started coming back in at about 1:30 PM.
The folks at the January meeting were blessed with four Show & Tell topics, Blaine Tamplain with his DIY camp stove, smaller than a jet boil that uses an adjustable flame propane burner. He also had a “twig-burner” stove that packed away very small. All items were low-cost, resourced from Walmart or Amazon. Steve Spadoni demonstrated his new waterproof, windproof Instafire plasma lighter for challenging conditions. It is electronic, powered by a re-chargeable battery. Easily ignited tinder can be stored in the end opposite of the device. It can be found at Amazon at: https://amzn.to/2Fx3qaQ
Marvin Monk, picked up some goodies at the recent Houston Boat Show, one being a stainless-steel Baker Hook Remover. The probe is about 12” long and 3/8” in diameter. Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FFjtSY He also had some “Hook & Loop” (aka, Velcro) gear straps, an example can be found at: https://www.1up-usa.com/product/velcro-strap/ and a slick looking Grind “Quick-Float” fish stringer that had a unique way to release from the kayak, add fish, and re-secure. https://grindtt.com/shop?olsPage=products%2Fgrind-quick-float-stringers
Blake Colburn provided an assortment of white bass and crappie lures as well as pre-made leaders such as his famous Slab-Stacker. Blake ran through key lures, such as small Rattletraps, Road Runner, Strike King, Curly Tail Grub, Rooster Tail, Mann Lures from Browder's Marina at Lake Livingston. Using photos, he demonstrated how he rigged up multiple rods on his kayak in a spreader arrangement in order to maximize his lure presentation. Contact Blaine, Steve, Marvin and Blake directly to learn more.
Chris outlined three new committees that would accomplish the following: Attract additional members, increase the club's presence in the kayak fishing community, explore road trips to far off locations such as Louisiana and Florida, then to explore the possibility of hosting a tournament. By the close of the meeting, Chris had volunteers for all new committees. More to follow.
On to our guest speaker YouTube sensation Mark DeLaRosa with MDLR Fishing: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxs73vJBI4UdkwMamwjh2QA
Mark described his exit from the US Marines with plans to recreate his identity with his fishing prowess on YouTube. Mark is also associated with Patreon. From their website: “Patreon is the best place for creators to establish ongoing and predictable monthly revenue and expand their career as a creator. Patreon also helps fans connect in a new way with the creators they love most.”
Mark's quest is to introduce fishing to newcomers by speeding up the learning curve. He want so make it simple and fun through the use of video and audio. He went through is GoPro gear as well as his downsized reels and custom 7' ultralight rods made by Andrew Martinez at FTU which allows him to make casts much further with light down-sized lures. Mark fishes from Sabine Pass to Port O'Connor. He astonishes his fans with the use of 5-lb PowerPro braid. He has the fish to prove it. Mark described in detail how he targets and lands sheepshead with artificial lures. He uses a Strike King Bitsy Minnow in Chili Craw https://bit.ly/2VZJeDe
Be sure to check out Mark's YouTube Videos. Just enter MDLR Fishing.
Upcoming PACK Events: 1.) Bill Leary is leading an event from Waterman's Boat Ramp at Dana's Cove this Friday, 1/18.
2.) Blake is running his Nueces White Bass Trip the weekend of Feb. 1, 2, & 3.
3.) A placeholder has been set for Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge Feb. 2 and
4.) Powderhorn Lake south of Port Lavaca March 15-16, also a Placeholder,
Updates on Placeholder Events will be provided as Trip Initiators are identified. See you all on water!!