Three Things to Accomplish in 2026

I keep an archive of all my articles, each one labeled by the month and year it appeared in this magazine. Every time I come back around to the January file and create a new one for the year ahead, I’m hit with a mix of emotions. Some of it is a reminder that I’m getting older and time seems to move faster every year. But much of it brings a smile—memories of what the past year held and how fortunate I am to do what I truly love. When the year ends, all I can do is look back and be grateful.

Fishing on my end of the Texas coast was as good in 2025 as I can remember. I’d even say it was the best trout fishing we’ve had since Hurricane Harvey in 2017. After years of repeated storms and massive flushes of freshwater that set us back, a stretch of favorable weather and smart decisions by TPWD finally gave our fishery some breathing room. Our trout fishery is in a healthy place right now. That doesn’t mean we’re free of obstacles—there are still challenges ahead—but I believe we have the right people involved to keep pushing things in the right direction.

And now, with a New Year upon us, everyone seems to come up with a fresh set of resolutions. If you’re an angler, why shouldn’t you have a few for fishing, too? I’ve been thinking on this for a while, and I’ve narrowed my own list down to three things I plan to accomplish in 2026. I’d encourage you to join me.

LEARN A NEW AREA

I know I’m not alone here—fishing the same “go-to” spots day after day is easy. They’re reliable, they produce, and there’s comfort in routine. And yes, I know the golden rule: never leave fish to find fish. But I also believe it's important to break out of that rut and broaden your range.

Wind changes, tides shift, water clarity comes and goes. An area you’ve relied on for years may one day be unfishable, while another area you barely know could load up with fish. There’s only one way to discover that—and that’s by going somewhere new. There will be a learning curve, and you may take a few lumps along the way, but the payoff can be huge. Add a new tool to your bag this year.

TARGET A SPECIFIC SPECIES

We’re lucky on the Texas coast—we have options. Plenty of them. Personally, I target redfish about 90% of the time, with a little trout, flounder, and sheepshead mixed in. But talk to other anglers and their percentages flip entirely. Some people chase flounder like it’s a religion. Others couldn’t care less about redfish. Everyone’s different, and that’s what makes it fun.

This year, I’m setting a very specific challenge for myself: catch sheepshead on the fly.
 And if you know, you know—they are the hardest fish on this coast to fool with a fly rod. They’re spooky, they’re selective, and half the time you swear they’re messing with you on purpose. Even if you get the right cast and the right fly, hooking them with those buckteeth is another challenge entirely. There’s a reason you don’t see many grip-and-grins of fly anglers holding sheepshead.

So here’s my suggestion:
 Pick a species you normally overlook and dedicate real time to learning it.
 You might surprise yourself with what you learn—and what you end up enjoying.

BRING A KID OR SOMEONE NEW FISHING

I saved this one for last because it’s the most important, and honestly, it shouldn’t just be a New Year’s resolution—it ought to be part of our everyday routine.

Over the last few years, I’ve really come to appreciate the value of introducing new people to fishing and showing them what it means to enjoy the outdoors with respect. Teaching awareness, conservation, and stewardship should be at the heart of everything we do. If we get new anglers involved—kids, friends, co-workers—they buy licenses, they join conservation groups, and they become part of the community that protects our resources.

Without new anglers, the future of our fisheries could fade within a single generation. The more people we have fighting for our bays, our habitat, and our coastal rights, the better off we’ll be in the long run.

With all that said, I want to wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year. I hope you spend plenty of time on the water with your family and friends. Get out there and experience all that Texas has to offer—and always remember to take care of her.