New Year, New Beginnings

January 1st, 2019

GraceSutherland New Year, New Beginnings

Grace Sutherland with a nice red

By Capt. David C. Dillman

galvestonbaycharterfishing.com | 832-228-8012

As we usher in 2019, I always reflect on the past year. I think of the trials and tribulations that I faced in 2018, but it was also a very rewarding year. I now set my sights forward and fully embrace the challenges and rewards of this coming year.

 My January starts at the 2019 Houston Boat, Sport and Travel Show. This event takes place at the NRG Center, Jan. 4-13. If you are in the market for a new boat or RV, you should attend this event. For those looking to re-power, come check out the latest technology in outboards. I will be at the Eagle Point Fishing Camp booth, numbers 612-613 throughout the show. Stop by, and I will be there to answer all questions about boating, boat storage, and of course fishing! The rest of my January will be filled with a much needed vacation to the blue waters of the Caribbean.

The beginning of the year, is also the time to get your boat seaworthy for this coming year. If your boat needs to go to a shop for service, this is the time. Do an inventory of what is stored in your boat. It is amazing how much “stuff” one can accumulate in your boat‘s storage hatches. Discard all non-serviceable items and check your PFDs for any defects.

On the fishing scene, look for continued good action on speckled trout along with scattered redfish. The usual winter locations, Clear Lake, Kemah/Seabrook flats, and the northern areas of Galveston Bay should hold fish. West Galveston Bay is also well known for its winter fishing.

Speaking of trout, one should keep abreast of the TPWD proposal of decreasing the trout daily bag limit. They should release their recommendation sometime in January. Hopefully, the Houston/Galveston area can make it through this winter without a major freeze event. If so, this spring we should see some really great fishing according to the fall gill net surveys from the TPWD.

I hope everyone had a great holiday season this past year. I look forward to seeing you at The Houston Boat Show.

WYC Charity Regatta Benefiting Sailing Angels

September 1st, 2018

sailing angels 300x300 WYC Charity Regatta Benefiting Sailing AngelsWaterford Yacht Club will be hosting its Fifth Annual Regatta Charity benefiting the Sailing Angels Foundation on Saturday Oct. 20. This event will provide an exciting opportunity for Galveston Bay sailors to enjoy an afternoon of fun and competitive sailing. All proceeds go directly to the Sailing Angels Foundation.

The regatta will be held in Galveston Bay with the post-race activities being hosted at Sundance Grill II at 6 p.m./ Waterford Harbor Marina, 800 Mariner’s Drive, Kemah, TX 77565. Cost for the regatta is $110 per sailboat entry. Dinner tickets are $25 per person. Race participants will receive one dinner ticket, one skippers shirt and a great skippers bag of goodies if registered by the Oct. 11 deadline. Additional dinner tickets can be purchased for $25 through www.waterfordyc.com. The post-regatta event will feature dinner, music, awards, and a silent auction to support Sailing Angels. The skippers meeting will be held at Sundance Grill on Friday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. For tickets and additional information visit www.waterfordyc.com.

The race course will consist of a 9.62 nautical mile course in Galveston Bay outside of the Kemah channel bounded by Redfish Island, the Houston Ship Channel and Red Bluff Point. There will be both a Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker Class. This event is open to area yacht clubs, sailing clubs, and sailors. The Sailing Angels Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable organization, based in the Greater Houston area. Sailing angels provides boating excursions, free of charge, to children with cognitive, physical or emotional needs and / or chronic illnesses as an opportunity for educational and recreational therapy. Also invited by the foundation are wounded warriors and military veterans. These special participants are encouraged to crew on the boat to the best of their abilities. Family members are encouraged to join in the experience. The Foundation relies on volunteers who donate their time and boats. All financing for Sailing Angels is raised through charitable donations throughout the year. More information can be found at www.sailingangels.org.

The Waterford Yacht Club Board and members encourage the Galveston Bay boating community to come together, support this wonderful charity, and enjoy a great sailing event!

Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine