Fishing

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Return to Matagorda Bay

It has been more than a while since I have gone fishing. But, that changed last week when my friend Paul Sinclair invited me to join him on a fishing adventure to Matagorda Bay. Of course, I said yes to his invitation — without hesitation.

Paul is from a family that loves adventure and appreciate how adventure can bring men together. I have lots of fond memories of previous fishing excursions with Paul and his brothers and his late dad, Holloway. Holloway and I traveled the world together to do the kind of fishing Jesus called Simon and Andrew to do. But, I digress. Back to Matagorda Bay.

I was happy when Paul told me that Captain Keith Phillips of Red Fish Matagorda would serve as our guide. Keith knows Matagorda Bay and he knows fishing. He has a quiet confidence that comes from years of experience. He thinks like a fish and always seems to know just exactly where to anchor his boat and just exactly where to cast the line.

We arrived at Matagorda Bay early last Friday morning. Fortunately for us, the last of the cold front was hanging around for a bit longer. Layered up against the cold wind, we boarded Captain’s Keith boat and moved with anticipation to a spot that would yield lots of fish.

Captain Keith picked a spot that looked promising, anchored his boat, and put generous chunks of bait on the hooks. And then, one by one, he cast the lines against the cold wind so that each one landed just shy of a grassy shoreline.

It was only minutes before I sensed something toying with the bait on my line. And then wham! Fish on! I reeled in a nice Black Drum, the first of four I would catch. From then on Paul, David, Thomas, and I continued to reel in the fish — Black Drum and Red Fish — until we reached our limit before noon.

Captain Keith had done it again. He had led us to the right spot. We never moved. We just reeled in the fish and only tossed one back.

With a full ice chest and the wind just a little warmer, we headed back to the dock. There, Captain Keith cleaned and filleted all of the fish and divided up the fillets and throats in zip lock bags. Each of us went home with lots of fish.

Beyond the fishing, it was just a great morning to be out on the water with guys that enjoy adventure. This was my first time to fish with Thomas but one of the good things about fishing is that it makes it so easy to bond with the guys on the boat.

I have spent so much time out of the country this year and some enjoyable days at our cabin in Big Bend that it was fun to return to Matagorda Bay.

I remain grateful to live in the Lone Star State and enjoy all that it has to offer — from the Gulf of Mexico to the Chihuahuan Desert and from the Rio Grande Valley to the wide spaces of the Panhandle. I am blessed, indeed.

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Fishing Matagorda Bay

Washington Irving, the author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, said, “There is certainly something in angling that tends to produce a serenity of the mind.” I agree with Irving. There is indeed something therapeutic about being outdoors — especially casting a line into a body of water and the accompanying anticipation of catching a fish. Being outdoors is good medicine and even more therapeutic when you share your outdoors adventures with good friends.

I recently read The River of Doubt by Candice Millard, the account of Theodore Roosevelt’s epic journey to map an uncharted tributary of the Amazon River in Brazil. “Throughout his adult life,” Millard wrote, “Roosevelt would relish physical exertion, and he would use it not just to keep his body fit and his mind sharp but as his most effective weapon against depression and despair.” Dr. Christian Scirica, a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital would agree. He believes that “exposure to natural environments … improves physical and emotional health.”
At Matagorda BayI have had the privilege of having some fun fishing adventures on Matagorda Bay thanks to my friend Holloway Sinclair. Everyone in the large Sinclair family loves the outdoors and often share adventures together. More than that, they enjoy inviting others to join them. I’m grateful for their kindness in inviting me to join family and friends to fish with them at one of the most beautiful coastal areas in the Lone Star State.

Having a knowledgeable fishing guide is important. Although there are some really great guides at Matagorda Bay, it’s been my privilege of fish with Captain Keith Phillips of Red Fish Matagorda. He is an expert fishing guide with a great sense of humor. If you fish with Keith, then count on laughter being a big part of the experience. Keith knows the coastal waters, where to find the fish, and how to make the experience enjoyable.
Foursome FishFor an occasional angler like myself, I am amazed at Keith’s attention to detail. He looks at the water, the currents, the wind, the marshes, and everything about the environment to determine where to find the fish. He knows exactly where to cast each line. And, with a single glance at the slightest movement of your fishing rod, he will know before you do that a fish is about to take the bait.

Fishing is enjoyable. However, sharing the adventure with friends makes the experience far more meaningful and fun. And, like Irving said, spending the day fishing will produce “a serenity of the mind.” Breathing the fresh gulf air, getting soaked by a sudden rain, catching our respective limits, and enjoying laughter and conversation with friends — these are the things that can refresh and revive even the most stressed soul.
Ryan Rush with RedfishI encourage you to find time to get outdoors with family or friends. Enjoy the serenity that comes from taking in beautiful vistas, breathing fresh air, waiting for fish to bite, or whatever you enjoy doing in the great outdoors. You’ll be glad you did. And, if you want to enjoy a really fun fishing adventure, then give my friend Captain Keith a call. You’ll definitely enjoy your time with him and you will definitely catch fish!