Friends of Padre

Via Capt Billy Sandifer We are not making a beach run this week due to the presence of a Cold Upwelling of offshore water impacting all of Padre Island. This event is becoming more common and lasting longer the past few years. There is no way of knowing how long it will continue but short term ( July 4th. Weekend) it will pretty much ruin fishing for all species but hardhead catfish. It turns the water brown, drops the water temp. as much as 10 degrees and the majority of both baitfish and predators leave the area and the surf becomes a “no life zone”. So those of you who plan to visit the beach; don’t plan on catching many fish, if any. There will be few birds as their food source is not present. Driving is o.k. and there isn’t any large amount of Sargassum. Whatever you do; have a Happy 4th. of July. Billy

Via Dr. Donna Shaver Yesterday, 1 old, previously undetected Kemp’s ridley nest was found in Texas, on South Padre Island. KEMP'S RIDLEY TURTLE So far this year, 155 nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): 5 Bolivar Peninsula 3 Galveston Island 1 Brazoria County, N. of Surfside 1 Surfside Beach 0 Quintana Beach 2 Bryan Beach 0 Brazoria County, N. of Sargent Beach 0 Sargent Beach 3 Matagorda Peninsula 0 Matagorda Island 0 San Jose Island 3 Mustang Island 104 North Padre Island, including 99 at Padre Island National Seashore 33 South Padre Island 0 Boca Chica Beach GREEN SEA TURTLE So far this year, 2 nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): 2 North Padre Island, including 2 at Padre Island National Seashore LOGGERHEAD TURTLE So far this year, 5 nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): 3 North Padre Island, including 3 at Padre Island National Seashore 2 South Padre Island

Via Captain Billy Sandifer The driving is excellent the entire length of the beach and the water is crystal clear from one end to the other. Small amounts of Sargassum were encountered; mostly in the Big Shell area. Dead grass was observed laying on the bottom in some areas in the 30s and 40s areas. Mullet of all sizes were observed in the 40s. No offshore activity was observed and there are few birds as nesting continues at this time. A handful of small Green Turtles were observed patrolling the near waters for food. Whiting are readily available on dead shrimp on the bottom. Trout to 25” were observed but it was almost impossible to get them to hit an artificial. They are feeding on the smallest of the finger mullet so keep your lures small. Earlier PINS guide; Jeff Wolda, reported large schools of menhaden with good numbers of Jack Crevalle, Blacktipped and Bull sharks feeding on them and his charter broke off a Tarpon on a top water on trout tackle. The fishing has been changing dramatically from one day to the next. 6 Long-billed Curlews, 3 Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Black Skimmers, 1 Double-Crested Cormorant, 1 White-tailed Hawk and 1 Caracara were observed as well as Sanderlings, Black-bellied Plover, small numbers of the Summer resident Tern species and a few Laughing Gulls. I anticipate large crowds this weekend so be courteous to each other.

Via Dr. Donna Shaver In Texas today, 1 older predated Kemp’s ridley nest was located on South Padre Island, and 1 new green turtle nest was found at Padre Island National Seashore. KEMP'S RIDLEY TURTLE So far this year, 153 nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): 5 Bolivar Peninsula 3 Galveston Island 0 Brazoria County, N. of Surfside 1 Surfside Beach 0 Quintana Beach 2 Bryan Beach 0 Brazoria County, N. of Sargent Beach 0 Sargent Beach 3 Matagorda Peninsula 0 Matagorda Island 0 San Jose Island 3 Mustang Island 104 North Padre Island, including 99 at Padre Island National Seashore 32 South Padre Island 0 Boca Chica Beach GREEN SEA TURTLE So far this year, 2 nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): 2 North Padre Island, including 2 at Padre Island National Seashore LOGGERHEAD TURTLE So far this year, 5 nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): 3 North Padre Island, including 3 at Padre Island National Seashore 2 South Padre Island

Via Dr. Donna Shaver Today, 3 Kemp’s ridley turtle nests were found in Texas, including 2 at Padre Island National Seashore and 1 on Bolivar Peninsula. KEMP'S RIDLEY TURTLE So far this year, 142 nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): 5 Bolivar Peninsula 2 Galveston Island 0 Brazoria County, N. of Surfside 1 Surfside Beach 0 Quintana Beach 2 Bryan Beach 0 Brazoria County, N. of Sargent Beach 0 Sargent Beach 3 Matagorda Peninsula 0 Matagorda Island 0 San Jose Island 2 Mustang Island 98 North Padre Island, including 94 at Padre Island National Seashore 29 South Padre Island 0 Boca Chica Beach GREEN SEA TURTLE So far this year, 1 nest has been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): 1 North Padre Island, including 1 at Padre Island National Seashore LOGGERHEAD TURTLE So far this year, 2 nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): 1 North Padre Island, including 1 at Padre Island National Seashore 1 South Padre Island

via Captain Billy Sandifer Water is crystal clear from one end of the beach to the other. Bait fish are not nearly as abundant as they were last week altho there are scattered schools of finger and pony mullet. One very large shoal of big mullet were seen in the second gut at the 36 mile mark. Pompano, whiting, trout and skipjacks were present. [caption width="1023" align="alignnone"] The beach is spectacular with the light winds and high pressure.[/caption] The trout are extremely difficult to get to hit an artificial lure so it was a slow grind althoough several big trout were seen that had no interest. [caption width="1023" align="alignnone"] Billy with a 20" speckled trout.[/caption] A fresh dead large Blacktip was laying on the bank in the Little Shell and a 6 foot Scalloped Hammerhead was laying dead at the 50 mile mark. These are game fish in Texas and it is against the law to kill them and leave them laying. They must be filleted or returned to the Sea. Special care must be taken to keep the Hammerhead alive. Don’t take them all the way out of the water and get your pics and the hooks out as quickly as possible or they will die. [caption width="1024" align="alignnone"] Scalloped Hammerhead at the 50 mile mark.[/caption] One Ridley Turtle was found nesting. Small Green Turtles have been abundant South of the Big Shell but only one was seen today. Birds are in very low numbers which is typical for mid June. A few of the regulars were seen along with Royal, Least, Sandwich, Forster’s, and Black Terns were present in low numbers. 3 sub adult Herring Gulls were observed. The large number of Black Terns seen last week have gone and continued their migration North. One Spotted Sandpiper was observed. Soft spots are present from the Big Shell South as the sand dries and it is especially soft from the 50 mile beach to the jetties. There is a extremely soft place at the 54 mile that will test your 4 wheel drive and your driving skills. Forecast rain through next Wed. may help by packing the loose sand. Slow down when passing camps and watch for nesting turtles. Have fun and be safe.

Via Captain Billy Sandifer Water is clear from the end of the pavement to the jetties. Mullet of various sizes are present from one end to the other. 13 large Jack Crevalle were seen feeding at the water’s edge from the 30 to the 50 mile. Trout were seen but hard to entice with a lure due to the full moon. Driving is very good the entire length. Birds were as per the last report with the exception of the arrival of 15,000 Black Terns in the afternoon. The majority of these were from the end of the pavement to the 18 mile. Scattered small shoals of Dusky Anchovies on both the North end and South of the 45 mile beach. Stingrays were present all along the beach. Here's one of the jacks right on the bank A hard fight and a quick release.

via Dr. Donna Shaver Today, 1 green turtle nest was found in Texas, at Padre Island National Seashore. KEMP'S RIDLEY TURTLE So far this year, 127 nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): 3 Bolivar Peninsula 1 Galveston Island 0 Brazoria County, N. of Surfside 1 Surfside Beach 0 Quintana Beach 2 Bryan Beach 0 Brazoria County, N. of Sargent Beach 0 Sargent Beach 3 Matagorda Peninsula 0 Matagorda Island 0 San Jose Island 1 Mustang Island 87 North Padre Island, including 83 at Padre Island National Seashore 29 South Padre Island 0 Boca Chica Beach GREEN SEA TURTLE So far this year, 1 nest has been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): 1 North Padre Island, including 1 at Padre Island National Seashore