Update from Trout Tagging Texas

What a year we’ve had! We at Trout Tagging Texas have been busy and a lot has happened since our last report published in this magazine’s July 2023 issue. We now have almost 80 angler volunteers from all across the state participating in the tagging and releasing speckled trout. Thanks to the efforts of these dedicated volunteers, we are happy to report that by latest count we have tagged and released 850 fish, ranging from to 15- to 31-inches. Words alone cannot express my gratitude for the efforts of the fishing guides and recreational anglers who share a passion for their contribution to restoring the Texas speckled trout fishery that suffered so greatly during the devastating freeze of February 2021.

Tagging and recording the location of capture and length of these fish provides valuable data for state agencies and recreational anglers alike, for multiple reasons. On the fishing side of things, we are able to establish patterns, times, and conditions that show when the trout are more susceptible to eating whatever the angler tosses in the water. TPWD can also gain knowledge from tagging studies to monitor populations of speckled trout by the numbers reported. It also shows migration trends from events such as excessive freshwater runoff, drought, and of that terrible F-word – Freezes!

Thus far in early December we now have 23 tagged fish reported as being recaptured, with one of the 23 recaptured twice. Some of the data is showing growth rates ranging from 1/4” to 1/2” per month, depending on bay system. Several of the fish have moved from the surf to adjacent bays, and a fish tagged in the bay traveled at least 30 miles, only to be recaptured in the surf.

Most notably, one of the fish (Yellow Tag-892), was originally tagged on August 20, 2023 by Capt. Layton Ondrias. Yellow-892 was then recaptured by Capt. Jason Finley on September 30. Finley was in the middle of a wade when reporting this fish, and although he was unable to document the exact length, the recapture still provided very valuable information. Fast forward to November 12 when Yellow-892 was recaptured a second time by none other than yours truly.

If you had asked whether I thought we would accomplish a second recapture, I would have said the likelihood is very low. However, these events speak volumes that catch and release indeed works, and extremely well I might add. I am a firm believer that much of the rebound we are currently able to enjoy here on the middle coast is due directly to the efforts of the hundreds of anglers who have faithfully practiced catch and release since the freeze.

During the month of October we staged a small contest that we dubbed Falltober 23 to raise funds for purchasing tags and placing them in the hands of our volunteers. Big thanks to Chris Bush of The Speckled Truth for assisting and helping get those wheels turning. We had some really great prizes and guided fishing trips donated from our sponsors and guides. It truly amazes me how many people want to help grow this small project into something big and beneficial for everyone to gain knowledge of the resource. I appreciate everybody’s help and am pleased to have made so many great friendships along the way.

As for a tagging report from across the state, I can say that the volunteers of the upper and lower coasts have been putting in some serious work and are beginning to rival the tagging and release numbers that have been accomplished by those of our original base of middle coast volunteers. Not to take anything away from our middle coast crew, as they have continued to report some really impressive catches.

Overall, the fishing has improved since TPWD enacted the first set of emergency regulations to reduce limits and tighten the length slots. Although the limit is currently back to the pre-freeze 5-fish limit and 15- to 25-inch length slot, it is up to us as anglers to police ourselves and leave the fishery in better condition for everyone to enjoy.

Please report any tagged fish you happen to come across. It is very important to the success of this project and you can earn some really nice incentives for doing so.

For anyone wanting to learn more or donate to the cause, please email me at: [email protected]