Galveston Area Kayak Anglers Find a Home at LSKS

In the fall of 2011, Dustin Koreba had a dream to create a home specific to competitive kayak anglers in the Galveston area.  With every creative dreamer, comes the need for an organized, "Git 'er Done" follow through.  Lucky for Dustin--- he just happened to be married to Wendy, and she handles the finite details like a BOSS!

See a need; fill a need.  That's exactly what these two have been doing.  After fishing in tournaments over the years, Dustin realized that boat-powered tournaments with kayak divisions only on the side were not going to cut it any longer.   The sport of kayak angling was growing at a quick rate.  The Korebas understood that the Galveston area needed  a tournament dedicated solely to these competitive paddlers and peddlers.  A different need for a different breed.

And so it was that they birthed a new Koreba baby with the Lone Star Kayak Series.  The late nights sacrificed, the specialists consulted, the learning curve implemented, the new supplies needed ----  the website was up and running by December of 2011.  The first event (ready or not) launched with 61 anglers on April 21, 2012.  

It takes a village to raise a child, and so it goes with angling tournaments as well.  Clint and Cameron Barghi stepped up to man the scales while Sonny Mills mastered the hell out of that web.  In today's mentality of "pics or it didn't happen",  Jeff Herman showed up with his cameras to record the history of grips and grins while this baby grew at an alarming rate.  From 61 anglers in 2012 to 176 anglers at the April 2015 event, LSKS has recently outgrown its birthplace at Louis Bait Camp and will now be relocating to the Lazy Lizard Cantina in Sunny San Leon, TX this Saturday (June 6, 2015).  

Dustin and Wendy attribute the outstanding evolution of this grass roots tournament not only to amazingly generous sponsors and volunteers like Russell Bradley, Roy Perry, Mark Miller, and the Bairds, but mostly to the anglers themselves.  Never before have they witnessed a tournament where the "anglers have advertised more than the tournament.  The word of mouth and social media activity with the anglers have really had an impact on the growth of the series."  The Korebas didn't falter at the overwhelming response and quickly acquired a second scale, a new CPU, additional weigh bags, a bigger awning, and are even running side-by-sides to taxi incoming anglers.  LSKS is not only a place for those who compete; it's an experience that encourages sponsors to come and foster the symbiotic, interdependent relationship between industry and kayak anglers.

"I created this series for the kayak angler.  If y'all keep coming, we will keep hosting," exclaims  Koreba.  

Don't worry, Dustin.  The Korebas built it, and we will come.  Coastie Culture will be there- Crystal, volunteering at the check-in table and Tony, on his Wilderness Ride 135, looking for them redfish.

On behalf of all Galveston Area kayak anglers, thank you for building us a home at the Lone Star Kayak Series.  An even bigger thanks on behalf of angling conservationists for your efforts to keep those gorgeous reds alive and breeding.


*For more information on upcoming events, visit the LSKS home page

Let the Games Begin

There comes a point in your angling career when you must decide whether you will go the tournament route.  This is a decision that I’ve been considering for about a year, and I can’t escape the question:  Are tournaments for me?

For some people, competition is a natural course.  For others, it seems that competition brings out an ugly side to something that is otherwise a peaceful outlet.  When you enter a tournament, your otherwise private skunk becomes embarrassingly public within moments after the weigh-in begins.  Instead of just a slow day on the water, you begin to wonder if all those who have supported or sponsored you will doubt their faith in you.

Fact of the matter is- if you want to be a pro, you have to prove that you are a pro in a public forum.  No longer does it matter if you are your mom’s favorite angler.  

I had been signed up for my first Lone Star Kayak Series Tournament for several months. The first event out of four was to be on April 18th. I was more than anxious on several levels. Before the 18th came around, I got the opportunity to fish in a local benefit tournament for Lance Linthicum . I was excited to be able to compete for a good cause, and this was also a great way to pre-fish for the LSKS.  I had my Hook 1 jersey ready for the winner’s stand and my new T-bone bed extender  was going to get my Wildy Ride 135  there in good condition.

 

It took me until about 10 pm the night before to rig up my HookSpit Performance Rods and finally decide on a spot to fish. I wanted to be close to the weigh-in located in Sunny San Leon, but at the last minute, I decided to fish a familiar spot in Galveston. Since this tourney allowed bait or artificial, I decided to use both.

 

This proved to be a fun mistake on my part. I know live shrimp can be a great choice, but I usually go with dead shrimp if I'm using bait. I was confident I'd catch some reds on it. Instead of a beautiful red, I ended up catching the following (on dead shrimp):

- Two stingrays

- a 22" gafftop

- several hardhead catfish

- one small black drum,

- a whiting

- a  couple of croakers

I knew I had back-tracked into a pattern of fishing I had started out with years ago and although I don't discourage it because it can be fun for some, it’s just not my style anymore. Too many unwanted fish caught and precious minutes with my line out of the water while releasing them. Running out of time, I found a familiar deeper channel in the marsh and started throwing a popping cork with a Vudu shrimp. A few minutes later, I felt that hit and knew I had a redfish. 17" was not going to cut it, but I was relieved it was not a stingray. My buddy, Jose, joined me in my spot and he, too, quickly got a smaller redfish. He was smarter and using live shrimp. Sadly our time was running out, and we both ended up with an empty stringer. Later on in the day, I found out that only four kayakers had signed up and out of the four of us- only one caught some tourney-grade fish. One keeper redfish, flounder, or trout would have put me in second place. I'm sure I won’t get that opportunity again.  This is likely something that will haunt me for quite a while, as my Hook 1 jersey will have to wait for another day in the sun.

The weigh-in was a blast as this tournament had a boat division as well, and I loved watching the fish being brought in, especially when so many were released to fight another day. Most importantly, they raised quite a bit of money to help Lance and his family out. I met lots of new people and saw some friendly, familiar faces. I'll be back, better and with no dead shrimp. Add in that I missed a couple of flounder and had a nice trout get off at the boat somewhere.

After getting a few high-fives and hand shakes from the wonderful Pier Pressure Girls and Mike Bishop (the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner - he and his lady are cool as a fan) in my first-ever tournament, it was good to learn that most people in the angling world are still supportive and understanding when a day on the water doesn’t turn out as expected.  It was also important to learn that the only expectations I have to live up to are the ones I set for myself. No bad days on the water... only lessons learned.

Coastie Culture on a Mission

“In one way or another, every landform and creature on Earth

reflects the presence of the oceans.

Understanding the Earth’s oceans is essential to our understanding of human history,

the origin of life, weather and climate, medicines, the health of the environment,

energy sources, and much more.” 

The National Academies

Lately, we’ve been handing out Coastie Culture business cards left and right to any and every person we meet who seems remotely interested in water, kayaking, or angling- carefully explaining that our business will officially launch “soon”.  The one question that immediately follows is, “what kind of business is this?”  The answer to that question is something we have tossed around for a while now, and we have finally been able to nail that down.

Over a year ago, we sat looking at our one and only kayak and decided that it shouldn’t just be a toy in our garage.  We made the choice to shift our career-driven lives into a Coastie Culture.  Since then, we’ve added three more yaks to the fleet and spent hundreds of hours on the water (with and without fish).

Crystal and Tony (husband and wife)- Owners of Coastie Culture

After building our social media presence, collecting some wonderful sponsors, and meeting so many amazing people, we sat at that same garage table while staring at our yaks and, thanks to some advice from Brooke and Robert Dunning (our friends over at Allgood Auto), decided on a mission for Coastie Culture.

Mission: Coastie Culture is the connection between man (or woman) and water.  It is the idea that we are a reflection of the coastline.  It is simply getting outside to explore the merging of land and water. Coastie Culture is self-improvement, exploration, conservation, experience, and safety.

Self- Improvement

Getting outside for a mere 5 minutes a day has been scientifically proven to ease depression, improve your outlook and focus, as well as strengthen your immune system. According to the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, the closer you live to nature, the healthier you're likely to be. Even more so when you live closer to the water.  Science shows that just being in nature can improve your brain function.  

Coastie Culture focuses on kayaking as a means of spending time outside--- because of this, there are added physical health benefits.  Just one hour of kayaking burns about 350 calories! It improves strength by providing a full-body workout when implementing proper paddling techniques.  Kayaking decreases fat and builds lean muscle muscle mass.  Men’s Journal has even dubbed kayaking as one of the best workouts for heart health (Huffington Post).  

Exploration

Coastie Culture yaks in three counties: Galveston, Brazoria, and Harris.  

Aside from there being over 1 million different species in the ocean, about ⅔ of the ocean’s species remain undiscovered and according to the EPA, “The Gulf of Mexico yields more finfish, shrimp, and shellfish annually than the south and mid-Atlantic, Chesapeake, and New England areas combined.”  There are mysteries in our waters calling to curious minds.   

History tells us that the pirate, Jean LaFitte, had a big hand in establishing Galveston--- that, alone, is enough to pique interest, but I will also add that Galveston is said to be one of the most haunted cities in the United States.  You can tour all of these points of interest by foot or car--- but why not take the yak to explore this island filled with Victorian-era architecture.  There is something alluring about a city that has survived the worst natural disaster in U.S. History.

Some of the most gorgeous species of birds roost in Galveston County, but Brazoria County is home to more species of birds than any other county in the country.  You haven’t lived until you have been on the water less than 20 yards from a Roseate Spoonbill (Spoonie)- the feeling is indescribable.

Roseate Spoonbill
           (www.ownbyphotography.com)

Our Gulf beaches are often considered some of the best shelling beaches in North America- boasting more than 400 species of shells.

If you need more of an adrenaline rush, all three counties house multiple freshwater and brackish bayous that are great for alligator spotting although we try not to get too close on account of the desire to keep all of our limbs.  Most of the Coasties down here like to leave the gators to the experts in Louisiana, but you’ll often find us spending a day in the saltwater in search of the South Texas Slam - you’ve got to earn your angling accolades by snagging a redfish, a flounder, and a speckled trout all in the same day.

Conservation

Coastie Culture is a big advocate of conservation efforts.  While fishing, we practice catch and release a majority of the time.  There is nothing wrong with taking an excellent meal home for your family from time-to-time; however- we are on the water a few times a week, and it’d just be flat-out irresponsible and wasteful for us to keep every fish we caught.  For future anglers and marine biologists, we want to leave some of those big boys out there to fight another day.  It’s just our way of showing gratitude to the fish for providing us with a good day on the water.  

A standing rule at Coastie Culture is to ALWAYS leave the coast looking better than when you got there.  Thanks to the Russ at Coastal Country Cleanup for leaving free mesh-bags at surrounding bait and tackle shops, so we are all able to keep one with us on the yak to hold our trash.  We also like to try to fill our bags with whatever else we see discarded on our coastline since we love where we live and want others to love it too.  

Coastal Country Cleanup

Seaweed- sometimes there’s seaweed collected on the coastline down here in Galveston.  It doesn’t always smell too pretty, but we are grateful for the fact that it is helping to cut down on the erosion of our beaches - which is extremely important considering that the Gulf of Mexico has the nation’s highest erosion rates ( up to 6 feet a year ).

Yak right over that seaweed.

Experience

The more a person experiences on the coast, the more likely they are to grow to love it just as much as we do.  Coastie Culture is about having fun and creating memories with friends and family.   We want you to experience the health benefits of being outside.  We want you to experience the self-confidence that comes from challenging yourself physically.  We want you to experience the thrills of exploration.  We want you to experience the feeling of appreciation and admiration for the environment.  We want to feed your coastal curiosity and inspire all sorts of future anglers, yakkers, nature enthusiasts, and scientists.  There is no better way to do that than to provide a fantastic and safe experience out on the water.

Safety

Self-Improvement, Exploration, Conservation, and Experience weigh next to nothing when scaled against Safety.  At Coastie Culture we are well-aware that our bays, marshes, and bayous can pose some hazards for even the most experienced kayakers.  That’s why we have partnered up with the American Canoe Association. The ACA is the leading non-profit organization dedicated to expanding proper paddlesport education.  Coastie Culture is owned by an ACA Certified Kayak Instructor (Tony) who can instruct you on proper paddling techniques or safety and rescue procedures.  We also offer Intro to Kayaking courses.  

Our ACA Certified Kayak Instructor, Tony 

*Remember to "Cast the Coast" safely.

We are planning to launch our ACA courses and various Coastie Culture kayaking experiences this summer, as soon as we can finalize all of the legalities (ie: insurance, staff training, and other logistical red-tape). Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Blogger to stay updated.

Until then, we’d like to thank our families, friends, and everyone in this industry who has supported and encouraged our dream for Coastie Culture---- go check them out:

Hook Spit Performance Rods

Hook 1 Kayak Fishing Gear

Momma Shark and the Hook-Up

Rowdy Maui

Orange Dog Outfitters

Wilderness Kayak Systems

Pier Pressure Girls

AllGood Auto

Terri's T-Shirt Quilts

What kayak fishing means to me...

In the past few months, I've decided to step up my game on the road to professional fishing.  It seems that fishing for a living has evolved with the rest of the world in regards to technology.  A seemingly simplistic sport no longer has nature at its core; rather, it has shifted into a "he who has the most toys wins" mentality.  Not only do I need top-of-the-line poles, reels, and tackle, but I also need to be social media savvy with knowledge of photo and video editing programs.  I need a computer that has a strong enough operating system to power all of said programs, and no longer will my trusty iPhone 4 suffice for snagging pics of my catches due to something about megapixels (or lack thereof).

I now have realized how invaluable my 20 year background in sales and marketing for the restaurant industry will prove to be.  In signing with a company as field staff or becoming selected by a sponsor, I'm certain to spend multiple hours a day seamlessly displaying a brand.

It seems a bit ironic that amid all of the roles and responsibilities manuals, Google Docs, and Instagram filters, I've finally been asked by a company, "What does kayak fishing mean to you?"
Now--- I'm a self-starter, and I have no problem acquiring endless amounts of high-tech gadgets.  I have zero issue implementing my experience in marketing into the fishing field.  I don't mind sitting hours at a computer learning all these new programs.  But... I am just now realizing how far off track these goals had taken me from the heart of my passion.  I am humbled to so quickly (and with just one simple question) be reminded of why I do what I do.  A seemingly simplistic question for a seemingly simplistic sport that puts everything back into perspective: what does kayak fishing mean to me?

It means balance.

That is all it means, yet balance means everything--- such an all-encompassing idea that requires careful and extensive juxtapositions.

There are genres of classic literature that rely almost solely upon the restorative powers of nature. Books flying off shelves for all eternity and studied in classrooms around the world simply because mankind desires a balance with nature.  This concept is not one that I need a professor or Spark Notes to explain to me.  Every fishing excursion provides an escape from the chaos of every day life, a few hours to forget about the 21st century's never ending to-do list.  It is that fishing is an ideal classroom in which I can teach my kids about life: conservation and curiosity, patience and persistence.  Just as it is in life, in fishing, you must learn when to keep the line tight and when to adjust the drag, when to battle a beast and when to let him tire himself out.  Each new species reeled in is a reminder of the endless possibilities of exploration and discovery.   This sport rewards risk-taking and demands safety.  It fosters a balance between the thrill of the hunt and a respect for nature.  Kayak fishing breeds spontaneity and requires thoughtful planning at the same time.  It teaches that skill and luck are both pivotal.  The challenge is symbolic that what comes easy is not always what's best--- the constant pursuit, a reminder that things handed to you are never as cherished as those for which you have tirelessly worked to gain.  There will be days you win big countered with days you get skunked--- and either way, you are left wanting more.  Regardless of  trophies won from competitions and tournaments, the intrinsic rewards outweigh the tangible. Because of kayak fishing, my kids will know that the best dinner doesn't always come from a fancy restaurant or aisle 7 in the grocery store.  Instead, the most fulfilling meal is the one you scooped out of the water and prepared together as a team.

It is said that mastery in any area can never truly be attained; rather, you will spend your whole life bettering yourself to reach the highest level of skill and knowledge through practice.  While this is certainly the case for fishing, it holds true for self-discovery as well.  I know no other sport that offers this "Great Perhaps"; I know no other sport that is so richly ingrained in balance.

My first yak fish!!!!!!

It's not the biggest not the baddest, but after a struggling long winter, I finally reeled in a fish...

Left the house around 7:30 am on Monday, March 25th. It was cloudy and the wind was Karate Kid part 4 early on. We headed to Seabrook Flats and looked around then drove to the Pine Gully Pier and I showed it to my buddy, Cody, who had never seen or heard of it. We chatted it up and moved around, decided to launch near the Kemah bridge and launched next to Outriggers. At this point the wind had died down, and we were off. We went left at the bridge and were fishing next to the Kemah Boardwalk. I decided to resort to some old habits and was using dead shrimp on one setup and throwing a Paul Brown Pink corky with the other.  I posted up in one spot for a good 30 -45 minutes while Cody was mobbing all around.  I sure miss shrimp! Majority of the time- I always feel bites, crabs, something with shrimp . After about 15 minutes, I got a hard hit and was pumped.  Nothing was there.  Grrrrrr.  Few minutes later - FISH ON!  I yelled to Cody, but he could not hear me.    After about 45 seconds, I had my first kayak fish.  A WHOPPING (wait for it.......) piggy perch!!!  And, to top it off, it was foul hooked in the stomach!!!! Oh well. Skunk over regardless.  We headed back toward Clear Lake. Cody was consistent in wanting to fish some marsh, so we decided to change location. We paddled back to Outriggers, tied up to the dock and ran in for some lunch.  Good food and enjoyed my first trip to a restaurant via kayak.  When we were done, we headed to Galveston and fished some marsh off 45. ( Exit 7 ish) Once again, on shrimp, I caught a black drum!!! 16" of fish, and I was pumped!! About thirty minutes later, I managed to pull up a feisty blue crab. The wind started to pick up, and we called it a day after a couple of hours. I'll continue to throw lures and hope for a more fish-filled blog in the very near future. Had a blast !!!!

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Coastie 

The Puffer Fish

  

I caught this bad boy on The Galveston Fishing Pier.  It is actually the second one I have caught there and was told this isn't particularly normal.  Either way, I was crunk about it.

Most of you know that a puffer fish is called a puffer because it inflates.  It does this by inhaling large amounts of water or air to increase its size as a defense mechanism.  The puffer fish has tremendous eye sight, but it isn't very quick.  

Not only do they puff out to help fight off predators, they also possess a toxin called tetrodotoxin.  Tetrodotoxin can be stronger than cyanide and is one of the most toxic components known to man.  One large puffer contains enough toxin to kill several men; however, sharks can eat puffer fish without consequence.

 But if you ever catch one, be careful when you get your pictures and try to use gloves (just to be safe) when you toss it back.  While we aren't too big on eating puffer here in Texas--- in Japan, highly trained chefs will serve Fugu (puffer) as a delicacy.  I have also read that dolphins are fans of a little puff here and there; they have been filmed off the coast of Africa passing puffer fish back and forth in order to get high.

 


Catching this guy landed me a spot in the Reel Report in The Galveston Daily News. Capt. Joe Kent explains the reason for the puffer (which is usually an offshore fish) being so close to the pier: "the warmer waters and higher salinity levels have contributed to a large variety of fish being reported in shallower waters this year."

This shout out goes to Capt. Joe Kent and his Reel Report in The Galveston Daily News--- Thanks for making me famous!

And a special shout out goes to Virginia Adair for being a loyal Daily News reader--- if it weren't for her, I wouldn't have even known that I made it in the Reel Report.

A Culture Created

Fresh Water catch in East Texas on Hochheim Lake

It's hard to say exactly when my passion for the water first began.  However, I know exactly when my addiction to the Texas Coast started.

At the end of 2010, I married my beautiful wife, Crystal, who is an AP Literature teacher a few miles down the road from Galveston.  It wasn't long after the move down here (from Denton, Texas... represent) that I was invited to go on a fishing trip in the bay with some friends.

Me, Crystal, Nash, Lee, Rick
on Galveston Party Boats

Slim, Rick, Ruben, Lee, Crystal, Me
on Galveston Party Boats

My wife, me, and one of my first Coastie catches!
Ha!  That's my buddy Lee photo bombing in the back.

No matter the size of  that first catch, it was at that moment that I vowed to learn all there is to know about salt water fishing.  It was then I realized that the Coast is a Culture all its own.  

This blog will be a record of my evolution into a "Coastie" and those who helped me out along the way.

*I'm a firm believer in shout outs.  We have had some good times on the Galveston Party Boats.  You can find them at galvestonpartyboatsinc.com .  

Avery's catch. Photo bomb by Jason.

Jason, Me, Crystal, and Avery
Avery's b-day trip on Galveston Party Boats