Summer fishing starts off hot!

COURTESY PHOTO Three men and a sailfish Miles Stamper, from left, Capt. Peter Gainey and Matthew Gainey released this sailfish on Saturday, May 30, aboard the Tica Rica out of Deep Sea Headquarters. There’s no free lunch, but there will be a “free” fishing day, thanks to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

National Fishing and Boating Week will be highlighted on Saturday, June 6, when, for one day, anglers may fish any public waters in Texas without a fishing license.

In Port Aransas, this just happens to coincide with the Take a Kid Fishing Tournament (see story.)

TPWD officials said the special day in this state, authorized by the Texas Legislature, is intended to promote fishing and encourage people to enjoy Texas’ fishing resources. Both resident and non-resident recreational anglers will be allowed to fish without a license and will not be required to have special stamps such as the saltwater or freshwater fishing stamps.

COURTESY Sailfish, kingfish, what a day! Kay Culpepper released this sailfish just off the end of the jetties, inside buoy 8 on Tuesday, June 2. She and her husband, Bill Culpepper, were trolling for kingfish using ribbonfish as bait, when they hooked into the sailfish. They caught their limit of kingfish, to boot. Newcomers to angling can find out details on a variety of fishing topics, including the basics of how to fish, through a series of short videos produced by TPWD and available for viewing on the department’s Web site, www.tpwd. state.tx.us.