Hi; I'll be out of the office for a few weeks, until further notice, as of 13 Oct. 07
We're at the tail end of the red season spawning in deep water at this time. From about November 1st, there normally really isn't much of a bite happening during winter, other than for a few catfish. Once the water temps start falling with the fall weather change, the Reds and Stripers head for the restricted warm water area in the rear of the power plant. Then we have to wait until about the early March period when the water starts warming in main lake, for them to return to main lake where we can have access to them.

***** Spring 08 is looking to be one of the best seen in about 5 years! *****

Anyone wanting to try and get in on a few fish before the lake shuts down for winter can try reaching the following guides for their best chance at catching some fish. Thanks for all your continued support and friendship through the past 19 years!!

Be safe and have a great up-coming Holiday season.

I can be reached by email for scheduling any future fishing adventures. Keep checking our web site to monitor the start of the "Spring 08" fishing season.

Please let these guides know you got their contact information from our site, Thanks!!

*** Reds/Hybrid-Stripers - Billy Robinson (210) 633-3833

***Catfish - Harry Lamb (210) 559-8420

Thanks, Jeff Snyder, SWFC

S.W. Charters Box 421, Adkins, TX. 78101
< www.AlamoRedfish.com >
 

Lakes: Calaveras / Braunig               15 Sept. 07
Location: San Antonio, TX.
Water Temp: 89 degrees  (10 degrees below normal)
Color: Lt. Green  Visibility 2-5 ft.

Greetings from SW Charters;

As most may know, Mother Nature has re-written the books on Texas' weather patterns this year!

The weather has been cooler, wetter, and milder than most can remember. The Reds I've been cleaning over the past week are showing a 'mixed' representation of different egg-spawn patterns. There are some mature enough to be developing the larger blood feeder veins on mostly developed sacks. Then there are some that haven't even started filling the egg sacks to much of a degree at all. As for the water temperatures, we have been seeing them in the mid-upper 80's. This is the range we usually encounter more into early October. Reds are showing signs of pre-stacking; being what Mother Nature tells them to do in early fall. These schooling fish have been averaging 8-16 pounds. They're getting a bit "moody" due to al the "He'ing and She'ing" they do for the spawn. This next monthly pattern is one to show us the quality of larger mature, more than in more numbers of smaller fish. This is one of the best times of the year to catch some of the lakes "larger" Reds.

The best part of this past season has been due to the great numbers of "Rat" Reds we've been seeing. Last year I'd bet we didn't catch 20 "Rats" in the whole season. This year we have had trips with 20-40 "Rats" in a four hour trip. Everyone needs to help protect "our" Rats until they mature. It would be great to see a stricter enforcement of fishing restrictions on these two lakes. Almost daily I see buckets, stringers, and even one guy had "HALF" an ice chest of Rats!!! Let's help our younger fishing generation about poaching and it's adverse effects to all of our fish.

Being this pattern is ahead of schedule, it leaves me feeling that the spawn may end sooner than normal, with  the "below normal" temperatures appearing sooner than expected. We might have a different than normal Fall-Winter following it up.

As for Stripers; the cooling of fall water patterns routinely signal a pick-up in their activity until the lake shuts down when temps hit the mid 60's. Year 2008 is looking to be one of the best Fishing seasons we been presented with in the past 5-6 years for Reds and Stripers. The lake is showing a solid base of mature (legal) Hybrids, with a substantial population of 2-3 different sizes of juvenile fish maturing into legal fish by spring.

Falls coming, so think about routine maintenance and gear prep for winter storage.

Take note of our scheduling changes for the start of 2008. We will be concentrating our charters on the "prime-most productive" fishing periods of the season. Reservations will concentrate on being made by email, more than by cell phone.

Be safe, pray for our troops, and teach a child something you wish you knew at their age!

Take care, Jeff
M# (210) 383-1119
< www.AlamoRedfish.com >

Fishing Report 23Jun07

Hello from San Antonio,                     23 June 07
………“home of cool nights and HOT Reds!” 
 

Year 2007 has been another year of “Top Quality Fish,” rather than a year showing quantities of smaller fish. We are starting to see the new Rat Reds in about the 8-11 inch range. They’re really looking good!
 
The weather has really been changing, along with the fishing patterns. Rains have come and gone, and back again. Water temperatures are holding in the mid to upper 80’s. The Striper bite was dropping off with rising temperatures, but is coming back pretty good with the cool rains.
 
Keeper Stripers are averaging 4-6 pounds, with throw-backs about 10-17 inches. We are seeing anew batch of Reds in the 7-9 pound range, making a pretty strong showing. We are still seeing a good number of the 12-17 pound Reds mixed in.
 
From the “hundreds of acres” of shad and mixed bait fish; around the lake, our slow-troll technique with Cannon Downriggers “will” still produce the most bites.
 
Catfish are stacking in deep schools where we’re dropping cut bait and dough balls to them. The better “Blues” have been in the 12-19 pound range.
 
Be safe,
 
“…………May screaming drags and monstrous fish, romp in your dreams!”
 
Jeff Snyder Guide/Lorist, SW Charters, M# (210) 383-1119
San Antonio, TX.
< WWW.AlamoRedfish.com >
 

Hello from San Antonio,  TX.                                          3 May 07
………“home of cool nights and HOT Reds!” 
 
Year 2007 is looking to be another year of “Top Quality Fish,” rather than a year showing quantities of smaller fish. Some trips have been seeing 25-50+ fish in 4 hours!
 
The weather has really been changing, along with the fishing patterns. Rains have come and gone, yet due to come again. Water temperatures seem to be ready to stabilize and increase with the late spring sunshine. Temperatures are finally holding at about 80 degrees. This is the beginning of the reds forming schools; next 10 degrees are dynamite! The schooling of ‘rat reds’ on top are usually first seen around 88 degrees.
 
Spring has been good for stripers, the best in past 4-5 years. They are off spawn and moving around the lake, usually with the groups of reds. Keeper Stripers are averaging 4-6 pounds, throw-backs are 10-17 inches, and Reds are running average of 31-37 inches in the 10-17 pound range! Not bad for these being our "AVERAGE" fish!! Most rod activity is currently from, under-sized Stripers with Reds showing in smaller clusters. Temperatures are rising and so is the Red activity!
 
From twenty years of homework and “numerous” trips around the lake, our slow-troll technique with Cannon Downriggers, “will” produce the most bites for you. I can ‘customize’ a special trip for your next adventure!
 
Ever feel like living on the edge or experiencing the thrill of running across thin ice and not getting wet……. Or, try dreaming about a 15-25+ pound Red, screaming his stinking brains out, with you, on the other end of a 7’ light action spinning rod, where you only have up to 125 yards to “MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!!”  ……… life is good, Reds make it better!
 
Catfish are in last rounds of spawn, so start baiting and fishing the mid-level depths.

Don't forget boat, motor, and equipment maintenance. Change your line, and teach someone how to tie a Palomar knot. *Berkley lines are on sale “BIG TIME!!!!” at Academy! *
Be safe,   ……..” may screaming drags and monstrous fish, romp in your dreams!”
 
Jeff Snyder   -Guide/Lorist, SW Charters, M# (210) 383-1119           San Antonio, TX.
< www.AlamoRedfish.com >
 

South Texas Freshwater Report                        21 February 2007
 
Greetings from San Antonio!!!!
 
Early Spring Season Adventures; brought to you from the bow of my boat!
 
Spring is sheepishly just wandering around in a delirious state as she teases and taunts us in anticipation of sizzling spring flings! Been having some incredible hog hunts, but times they’re a changing.
 
Reds, we’re seeing RED!!! We've been holding off on trips up until now!!!! Temperatures have been steady on the rise and are about 70 degrees this week. Without a doubt, this past south Texas winter has been beautiful and just loaded with fish, considering the time of year. November was beyond delightful, as we had about a 4 week run on light action “Hybrid-Stripers!” Operating both morning and afternoon fall trips, averages were 20-50 fish in 4 hours!! May sound good, but great news is these should be 80% keepers this spring! Averaging between 4-6 lbs. they may not be what some may classify as monster fish, but oh so stimulating with the right rod and reel and are great eating! Try a seven foot light action rod and a smooth level wind to let the big ones run! Just sounds as though you’re asking for a woopin’.......   from a big Red! With continued good weather the spring action looks as though it’s ready to start. Let’s……….. “Git’er  done!
 
Water temps around 70-75 degrees, light winds to moderate from the east and S-east, I've found the lake’s ready to break loose for spring. Yesterday after working on the boat trailer, I ran to check some deep pockets and found reds in small clusters working the shad. I fished for almost two hours with “six hook-ups” and landed “5 reds,” from about 8-12 pounds each. Somebody had to do it……
 
Early February special, trips are discounted to $180/boat for 1-4 clients!!!!
March trips are still $200 per boat, with a “NEW” rate of $210 effective April 1, 2007. (Sorry, fuel costs are killing me!)
 
Well, enjoy the pictures, make some plans, take the kids on an adventure, and let’s start hitting the lake!
 
So, until the next nibble occurs, ……….. “may screaming drags and monstrous fish romp in your dreams!”
 
Be safe and see you soon…….  Jeff

SW Fishing Charters & Alamo Adventures
Fishing Report September 2006
Lakes: Calaveras / Braunig at San Antonio, Texas

Water temp: 92-96 degrees F
Color: Lt. green, Good visibility
Patterns: summer time - deep water, and preparing for Pre-spawn

Fall patterns are starting to show with the return of our prevailing southerly winds, this is Good! We are seeing good schools of mature fish, usually averaging from 7-17 pounds. The mature fish are starting to show signs of their fall ritual of mating herds of roaming Redfish. This past week has been showing some boat 'limits' of the big fish.

With the on set of this pattern we are also preparing for the fall flights of White-wing doves. It's tough to have such great adventures all stacking up at the same time. Oh, which way do we go first?

The Reds are starting to get more aggressive in their bite as they try to put on more weight for the fall. There have been occasional schools of nice Hybrid-stripers showing up. We should continue to see patterns get better and the bites to last longer through the days ahead.

Trip bookings are starting to fill in for this fall spectacular! Don't get left out!!!!

So if your adventure is beckoning for Doves or monster Reds, let us hear from you!

This report is short, but sweet. We have fish to catch and doves to retrieve. Yogi my chocolate Lab, his buddy Barney and myself wish you all a safe and prosperous fall adventure!

Be safe and get out the Bengay ointment! It's going to be a fantastic fall !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Till later, Jeff
M#(210) 383-1119
 

Fishing Report:  15 July 05
Lakes: Calaveras/Braunig in San Antonio, TX.
Temp/Color:  90 degrees F- Light Green 2-4 ft. visibility
Pattern: mid-summer conditions in deep water
Fishing quality:  8.5  (1-10)

Greetings from the ranch; cows need hay, we need rain, coastal off-shore patterns are good, and we're catching fish!!!!

Lake temps have been steady around 90 degrees! Looks like we may have a pretty hot water pattern to deal with this summer! The good part is, we're seeing multiple groups of reds located in various places around the lake. The windy days always hold a plus to the days where the lake is laid down like glass; the reds don't like it either. Weekday trips tend to produce better catches compared to weekends usually, when there is an increased amount of lake noise, driving the fish down and a bit spooky.

Another shot of rain and some cooler temps would be good for the lake and me! With the water temps up, we are seeing more aggressiveness in the schools. Today we had "triples" hooked-up, three different times. The last one consisted of a grandpa and his two grandsons, 12 & 13 y.o. They got all 3 reds in that averaged 14# each!

Summer is off to a good start with our four bigger reds in the past week, went from 17-24 pounds, each!

See Vince Morills 24 # , 40 inch Red on our web site, in the Leader Board 2006 Frame!

We're catching fish from four different age groups, starting with the smaller reds at 23-26 inches, nice for being our "smaller" ones! Reds have been a pretty reliable and stable pattern for the past couple of weeks and should still get better, yet!

There have been good Stripers on deep structure and mixed with some of the reds. The "keeper" stripers have been averaging about 19-22 inches; good solid fish.

The blue cats are usually on deep structure in the mornings and disappear in the afternoons. The bigger Blues were about 8-18 pounds. They should be stable for awhile. We use dough-ball.

A note for boat safety; there's a lot of lucky violations at the lake, that have escaped tickets. Try some good reading, like the Coast Guards boating laws, available at TPWD and on-line. The "biggest" one I see is passengers with arms, legs, and other body parts hanging "over the side" of a "MOVING" vessel. Can you believe seeing all the 'adults' operating moving vessels with their family members hanging their feet over the front/side! One good bump or wave would have them chumming for sharks as they ran their kids underneath their boats!?!? Oh well.................

With summer here don't forget:
-Keep hydrated, coffee and alcohol only "de-hydrates" you
-Sun block for everyone, tans only look good till the skin cancer sets in, do your pets noses
-Water's hot!!!!!! When was the last time your cooling system and water pump was serviced on your boat?
-change your line and teach someone to tie a Palomar Knot
-going off shore fishing? Degrease/oils from your diet three days prior, increase starches during your trip and"AVOID" any 'colored' (red, blue, orange, green, etc) drinks; go clear and cola, diet is better, with some fruits

Be safe, take care of the pets out in the days heat, grease the bearings.......................
     "...... so until the next bite occurs; may screaming drags and monstrous fish romp in your dreams!"

Pray for our military,
Jeff Snyder, Owner/guide
Southwest Fishing Charters
M# (210) 383-1119
 

SW Fishing Charters: Fishing Report-      5 April 06
 
Lakes: Calaveras / Braunig at San Antonio, Texas
 
Water temp & Color: 74-79 degrees, Light green, Clarity- Good
 
Fish rating (1 poor 10 Best);   8.0
 
Main bite:
 
REDS  !!!!
 
We're talkin' "SCREAMERS!!!" Rod bending, line stripping, gear jamming runs.
 
Talking "BIG" fish!

Temps are in the upper 70's with an occasional thermal hitting 80!! The fish are warming up in body temp and we're seeing the results as blistering runs, sometimes stretching 50-80 yards of screaming mono!

Don't get scared...." you can do it!

It's hard, not to just want to start cranking, but these fish will make you earn their respect or they're gone! Let'em rip, scream, dive, and charge like a run away train............. but just think even pressure and try to keep up with them. The pumping and jerking crap has got to stop, that is, if you want more fish in the boat.

Become 'one' with your fish. Enter his world! You've startled him out of a shad chasing moment, into a total 'freak-out,' sticking him with a hook and sending exploding away in a thunderous manner, with you in tow!

Now we're fishing!!! There are those who want to do it their way, no problem. If you can't slow down and take control, I'll get you another lure after you finished loosing yours as a 'nose ring' in that departing red. We wait in anticipation for the fishing trip to finally arrive and get started........ relish the moment, enjoy the thrills, get excited, but absorb the energy that fish so willingly give us from the moment of hook-up. This will build the 'sportsman's awareness' in you. All fish are good fish, just some are bigger!

Today we had 17 hook-ups with a full day yielding 11 fish close to 150+ pounds!! Some high levels of excitement and a few runaway reds, yield a couple pull-offs and broken lines. It's all part of the thrill and the education you get will benefit you in your future adventures. Fish on!!! It's time to rock and hit the lakes!

Overall; 2006 is looking to be an exceptional year for reds and stripers. The Texas Fisheries crews have a great handle on what they have achieved in providing this incredibly unique “fisheries” for all of us! Thanks Fisheries Crew!!! Great job!

With temps rising, action will continue to get better and patterns will be more consistent. Increase temps, increase metabolism rates, increase feeding frequencies, increase the aggressiveness of the bite! Separating the thermal changes and keeping up with where the bait fish are, usually has been keeping us on some extremely nice sized schools of Reds. The structure changes are second best in locating fish.

Trip bookings are filling for weekends and end of week trips, so check your calendars and let's head to the lake.

We're still live Saturday mornings from 6-7 AM, on "Today's Angler" radio show, on "Sports Ticket AM 760." It's live talk radio for fishing and outdoors adventure & how-to topics. Toot your horn and share a story or 'tip' of your own adventures. Give us a call.... PH: (210) 736-9760/9746.

 The Stripers made a great appearance with the rising temperatures. Most of the big females are showing signs of dropping their spawn.
 
Catfish are in the swing with a good movement starting to show with the fish looking for gravel points and shore lines for their spawn. Don't make all your casts as long as you can, vary their lengths to cover different depths. Then adjust more casts to the most active depths.
 
NEW Regulations!!!! There are a lot of new changes, people still get plenty of tickets for the old regs. Measuring fish is a biggie!! FISH DO NOT SHRINK!!! In the ice chest or in the sun, they'll all be the same tomorrow. Mouths must be closed when measuring fish in Texas! Teach your kids right and not how to cheat, they'll be less problems as they get older. Its nice to see some of our kids are true sportsman as they strictly abide by the laws and try to take care of what Texas gives us!! GO KIDS! Maybe they could teach a few things to some of the regular anglers who "knowingly" trespass, almost daily, into the restricted water areas to fish, as these must be the only places they can catch fish. Get your kids to understand this isn't a sportsmanship way. It's illegal and trespassing was $200 per person, per offense! Be safe.....
 
Monofilament line;
 Trilene Big Game: still great, the "Solar" is a great high visibility line with no detectable interference with the fish. Cajun Red: it's good, seems to break a little quicker the Big Game, but viability and "fishability'' is good.

Weekly Tip:

Hooks: think about the application and where you are using them to establish what "tensile strength" you should be using. Me personally; with brute strength and driving force these reds exert while fighting...... I am more comfortable putting "ALL" new stainless steel split rings on with new 3-4X hooks, of chosen size, on all my selected lures.

Again; pay attention to the condition/color change of your mono as you fish with it over time. It will pick up calcium/salts/dirt out of the water and have them dry on your line. This causes brittleness and weak spots. Compare new to used and you will notice it starts looking dull and have sort of a white haze to it. Strip it down to clean line and cut off damages and dispose of properly. This is definitely a visibility problem in the water. It only costs $1-2 dollars to fill a reel. What’s one big fish worth to you? Using the average pound spool of line, you can fill 3-6 average reels, regularly. I rotate probably ever two weeks.
 
Remember in filling a reel, if the reel's spool spins when you crank, your bulk spool must also spin (bait casters). Spinning reels have a stationary spool with a revolving bail, so your bulk spool must stay stationary, no spinning. Feed the line over the spool end, if it starts twisting on your rod tip, turn the bulk spool over and feed from the other end.
 
Lines that I compared:
 
Stren: sorry, don't care to use it. Retains too much memory, starts to feel too brittle too quickly. Knots seat down with a little squiggle in the line? Looks like a weakness. Cost, enough.
 
Cajun Red-Shakespeare:  Looking pretty good! Price is nice, stretch not best, but pretty good. Knots look and seem fine. No memory problem, yet. Redfish only complain as to it not breaking. Visibility is good, especially when fighting multiple fish at once. I'm still using it, no complaints, yet.
 
 
BIG GAME- Berkley: Can't complain, still great after 18 years!
New Solar Green is great for visibility, no problem noticed with fish seeing or acting different to it. I use Solar and Ultra-clear.
 
******* don't forget to change your boat impeller a minimum of every two years! Over heating leads to 'blown head gaskets, in these hot water lakes,.' Change your thermostats also, they're cheap, especially compared to marine breakdown repair costs.
 
The sun has been hot, don't forget the kids and sun screen, be good to mom ma, feed the pets and I'll see ya at the lake.
 
So, till the next fish strikes, .. may screaming drags and monstrous fish romp in your dreams!
 
Jeff Snyder, SWFC
M# (210) 383-1119   <  www.AlamoRedfish.com >
 

SW Fishing Charters: Fishing Report-      8 March 06
 
Lakes: Calaveras / Braunig at San Antonio, Texas
 
Water temp & Color: 68-71 degrees, Light green, Clarity- Good
 
Fish rating (1 poor – 10 Best);   “ 8.5 “
 
Main bite:
 
Yahoooooooooooo………….. REDS  !!!!
 
Yeah Buddy…………. Rod bending, line stripping, gear jamming runs on Spring Reds!!!
 
 Let’s talk average; would you believe current average sizes are 9-15 pounds with big fish this spring at 23#!!! We are running a framed photo “2006 Leader Board” this year on our page, watch for it! You'll have to earn the dignity to get posted as our raining leader and current holder for “BIG FISH!”
 
Talking fish! Weather has been relentless to those trying to raise cattle; it’s cheaper to eat worms than hay! Water temps. In January were up to 70 and Stripers were working well. The northerly winds and temps. Hit and the lake dropped from 70 to 52 degrees in 4 days!!! Ouch, let’s say CRASH…………  
 
It’s now into March with temps. Back to about 70 degrees; not many stripers but…… the big reds we seen last fall are BACK!!!!!!!!! Separating the thermal changes and keeping up with where the bait fish are, usually has been keeping us on some extremely nice sized schools of Reds.
 
 
 The Reds really seem ‘spooky’ to boat presence this spring, so keeping a safe approach distance is making the difference between a strike and a spook!
 
The outlook is for warmer and constant temps. at night, so fishing should only get better!  Pinch yourself Dorothy, this is Texas not Kansas. No flying monkeys here, just screaming Reds.
 
The Stripers should really start making an appearance as the temps. Get up higher in the 70’s. We have picked up some scattered Stripers this week. The mature fish are full of eggs and looks as though the spawn is still a month off.
 
Catfish are getting in the swing with a good movement starting to show with the fish looking for gravel points and shore lines for their spawn.
Don't be shy, chum, use a variety of baits, keep the bite sizes smaller for this cool water. Don't make all your casts as long as you can, vary their lengths to cover different depths. Then adjust more casts to the most active depths.
 
NEW Regulations!!!! There are a lot of new changes, people still get plenty of tickets for the old regs. Measuring fish is a biggie!! FISH DO NOT SHRINK!!! In the ice chest or in the sun, they'll all be the same tomorrow. Mouths must be “closed” when measuring fish in Texas! Teach your kids right and not how to cheat, they'll be less problems as they get older. It’s nice to see some of our kids are true sportsman as they strictly abide by the laws and try to take care of what Texas gives us!! GO KIDS!
 
 
Field survey results:
 
Monofilament line;
 “My perspective & opinion” from life long experience in fishing.
 
Weekly Tip:
Pay attention to the condition of your mono as you fish with it over time. It will pick up calcium/salts/dirt out of the water and have them “dry” on your line. Compare new to used and you will notice it starts looking dull and have sort of a white haze to it. Strip it down to clean! This is definitely a visibility problem in the water. It only costs $1-2 dollars to fill a reel. What’s one big fish worth to you? Using the average ¼ pound spool of line, you can fill 3-6 average reels, regularly.
 
Remember in filling a reel, if the reel spool spins when you crank, your bulk spool must also spin (bait casters). Spinning reels have a stationary spool with a revolving bail, so your bulk spool must stay stationary, no spinning. Feed the line over the spool end, if it starts twisting on your rod tip, turn the bulk spool over and feed from the other end.
 
Lines that I compared:
 
Stren: sorry, don't care to use it. Retains too much memory, starts to feel too brittle too quickly. Knots seat down with a little ‘squiggle’ in the line? Looks like a weakness. Cost, enough.
 
Cajun Red-Shakespeare:  Looking pretty good! Price is nice, stretch not best, but pretty good. Knots look and seem fine. No memory problem, yet. Redfish only complain as to it not breaking. Visibility is good, especially when fighting multiple fish at once. I'm still using it, no complaints, yet.
 
 
BIG GAME- Berkley: Can't complain, still great after 18 years!
New “Solar Green” is great for visibility, no problem noticed with fish seeing or acting different to it. I use Solar and Ultra-clear.
 
 
Well; it’s been real, give me a call on our radio show,
 AM 760, Saturday mornings 6-7:00AM. Tell me a story, ask that big question on your way to the lake, hit me with a trivia question on the Outdoors, teach me something!!
 
******* don't forget to change your boat impeller a minimum of every two years! I just blew a three year old impeller in the big boat into 100’s pieces, it was heading for three years; well over due!
 
The sun has been hot, don't forget the kids and sun screen, be good to mom ma, feed the pets and I'll see ya’ at the lake…….
 
So, till the next fish strikes, “….. may screaming drags and monstrous fish romp in your dreams!”
 
Jeff Snyder, SWFC
M# (210) 383-1119  <  www.AlamoRedfish.com >
 

9 Jan 06

Lakes: Calaveras & Braunig, at San Antonio, TX.
Temps: 64-68 degrees F.
Water clarity: good- Lt. green
Fish pattern: Stripers-Good, some Redfish

Greetings in the New Year, the weather is un-seasonably warm which has us in an early, stable fish pattern. We are currently seeing some of the best Hybrid-striper fishing that we have seen in the past 3-4 years. Half day trips are averaging 15-30 Stripers with at least half being of 'keeper' sizes. So we must jump on them now while they are willing to bite!

With this warm weather on us, patterns should hold until Mr. Winter decides to visit south Texas again.

Deer: we still have until Jan. 29th for doe and spike hunts, for anyone looking for some freezer meat. Turkeys are still coming in for lunch, larger flocks are usually seen more with damper weather, season ends 29 Jan. 06, until the spring hunts.

Well, short but sweet, looking for more fish to bite....
Be safe, Jeff
M# (210) 383-1119
 

Fishing Report:                                9/27/05
Lakes: Calaveras/Braunig @ San Antonio, TX.
Conditions: Temp. 88 degrees
Color: Lt. Green, visibility: 3-5 feet
Bite condition (scale of 1-10):  7-8
Fish quality: average 8-14 pounds each!

Greetings;
        Fall has finally convinced Mother Nature to let it come in! Days have started getting shorter and the water temperature is dropping. The combination of these two factors is what drives nature into triggering hormonal responses in the fish's actions. Besides the current weather, this is the time of year we wait all summer for. Tolerable temperatures with so many things starting to happen outside, leaves us wondering which we should do next. Hot enough for you? If not, maybe a trip to Phoenix would warm you up! I'm so glad we are at the threshold of new adventures and cooler temperatures to enjoy them in.

RADIO: If you're near your radio on Saturday mornings, I am now the host of "Todays Angler" radio show on AM 760, Fox Sports, from 6-7 A.M. You can also visit and be part of our "Forum" with questions, answers, and comments. We'll chat about anything! Let's hear  from you.

        Dove season has been great on our lease, actually, the birds are still holding in their evening return flights to town, making the pass shooting pretty good. The northerly winds that are due to arrive, normally bring in some of the larger purplish northern Mourning doves.

Seeing Red!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
        Actually, it's Reds! The decreasing amount of  daily light and temperature conditions have triggered our fall spawn into a pretty good pattern. We have been seeing good numbers of schools of these 'hormonal' fish and their ritual maneuvering through the spawn period. We are at about week two of a 7-8 week pattern. The past week I have seen schools of Reds 10-15 feet thick and at one time I crossed about 60 yards of them! Some of the catches have been 9-14 fish per half day, with weights in the 7-14 pound range. This is more of a "chasing" game, as the Reds roam almost continuously bumping and rubbing against each other and rocky structure. As for our technique, clients usually leave it to me to choose the most productive. With most of the fish forming stratified layers, usually between 15 - 35 feet, keeping a lure on them is the hardest. Thus, we have Downriggers to control our presentation depth. The strike is about like drift fishing as we wander along using electronics to try and stay on the schools. I'm open to most any technique the clients have a preference for. Casting, jigging, and dropping live bait is effective as long the fish hold still for a while. These techniques involve a lot of work and concentration where as trolling is a snatch and grab and head for the back of the boat. Well, snatch a rod and let's head to the lake!

Catfish and Hybrid-stripers are our second game. The spring pattern this year showed good numbers of stripers, just shy of keeper size. As the water cools more, they should start showing up.

Fall in Texas; where should I start? Ducks, Geese, Trophy Tom turkeys, Redfish, Stripers, deer, and hogs! Looks as though summer is finally on it's last leg this week. I sure despise those three months of summer, but the remaining nine sure make the wait worth it.

I offer up to six exclusive special Trophy Tom turkey hunts each year, guided or un-guided. I've been seeing usually between 10-30 birds in our turkey flock at the feeders. Duck counts look good this year. Most of our hunts are done south of San Antonio, about one hour or a trip to the coast. Our doves are still holding pretty good to their evening flight path, back to the city. The cooling northerly temperatures usually bring those larger northern birds as a second surge in the season.

Shooting:
        As a retired U.S Military training NCO, I offer personal shooting and rifle care instruction. It's surprising the number of people that pick up a rifle and pull a trigger, thinks that's all there is to it. Most shooters can reduce their bullet impact area in half by just using 3-4 basic techniques.

With fall setting in, don't forget your fall boat maintenance and storage items.

So, until the next nibble occurs, "........ may screaming drags and monstrous fish romp in your dreams!"

Thanks, Jeff
M# (210) 383-1119
< www.AlamoRedfish.com >

SW Fishing Charters- Alamo Adventures
Fishing Report:   25 August 05

Lakes: Calaveras/Braunig
Location: San Antonio, TX.
Water:  Temp.- 88 degrees F     Color: Lt. Green, good visibility

Greetings; there are a lot of "NEW" changes to Texas Hunting and Fishing regulations. I see a lot of "TICKETS" getting written September 1st!!!!!!! I bet everyone can't read many of the pages of the TPWD guidelines and not say, I didn't know that.
*** Hunters will now be 'ticketed' for "shooting" across a perimeter/boundary fence!
***PURPLE!!!!!!! Purple what? I'm talking about paint on fence posts and trees!!! This color of paint has the same effects and legalities of encountering a "POSTED" - "NO TRESPASSING" sign in Texas.
These are a couple of many...................

BIRDS !!!!! DOVES and schools of them!
I am expecting a bonus year for White Wing Doves this year. There had to have been 100+ doves fly from the trees as I drove into the lease yesterday morning. Texas now has a new zone for the SW side of Texas, with different 'bag limits' than others!!

# 7 1/2 SHOT!  This size of shot with a modified choke will knock down more of your birds.

I offer private 'clay bird' shooting instruction. It's available in S.E. San Antonio, close to Calaveras lake.
We still have open slots for hunting, both AM & PM hunts. We offer guided and un-guided hunts. Guided hunts get shooting instruction and a good bird dog. We are located close to Randolph Air Force Base, in N.E. San Antonio. Make sure you get the "NEW" Migratory bird stamp this year.

Ducks, Turkey, & Deer!  Almost as good as Christmas and just two months away!!!!!!!

Fish on!

Maybe mother nature may be kind and give us an early fall. The Reds have started moving into their pre-spawn schooling patterns. They seem to be about 2-3 weeks early. Today I seen schools of Reds that were 5-15 feet thick! At one time, we traveled across a school for at least 40 yards. There were 'schoolies'  mixed in with the larger, 10-15 pound fish. The summer transition of July-August is almost enough to make a preacher use choice words! Oh, how quickly we can forget about all the good trips when our number comes up on a slow one. I guess that's where the persistent and dedicated have more of an appreciation for a good guides efforts on a bad day. The Reds should continue to stack up till mid-November. When the temperatures come down a bit more, we should be seeing some keeper Stripers from all those 'throw-backs' that we were catching this spring. The Catfish are in better condition than any I have ever seen from this lake.

Temperatures are down, days are getting shorter, and the Reds seem to know it's almost time for the fall rituals. This pattern usually runs until the second cold front or about 15 November.

Tips:
        Don't forget the boat and fishing equipment this fall as we head into hunting season. Do proper maintenance on your motor and stabilize your gas for storage. Inspect your lower units and replace the oil. If old oil has any "creamy or tan" coloring to it, you need your seals replaced.

Be safe and take care of the kids. Snake-proofing classes for your dogs are available through local kennels. Keep an eye on them during bird season. The warmer temperatures will show increased snake activity.

"..... may monstrous fish and screaming drags, romp in your dreams!"

Jeff
M# (210) 383-1119

 

Fishing Report: 13 April 05
Lakes: Calaveras & Braunig, at San Antonio, TX.
Water temp: 80 degrees
Clarity, good, 2-5 feet, color: light green

Finally water temperatures are rising and holding. The reds have started
moving into some pretty big schools and are meandering around the cool
temps of the deep. Most of our keeper size fish are in the 9-14 pound range
with the most recent biggest one being 19.5 pounds. we are seeing an
increasing number of under-sized reds and stripers, daily. It has been
about 4-6 years since I have seen this type of numbers of juvenile fish.
Thanks to the diligent and productive efforts of our "Texas Inland
Fisheries crews!!" All of this increased activity is a true sign that the
Hybrid spawn is approaching fast and should yield some pretty nice
stringers of adult fish this spring. Our biggest this past week was about
7.5 pounds, a super nice Hybrid!

The transition off of the structural changes have been occurring about mid
day as the thermals shift with the bigger fish starting to congregate in
the deeper water. Our bite patterns are about a 50/50 split between
mornings and afternoon trips.

Finally we are at the point of the season where you can expect to find that
"Mobey Dick Redfish" most any day now. The winds have started their shift
from northers to more of an east to southwest flow. These will allow the
water to remain warm through the night without the windy cool downs.

Without much else being needed to say, looks as though our "solid" Redfish
season has started!

The cat fishing is at a peak period with the spawn under way and the
Channels are in some of the best shape I believe I have ever seen for the lake.

Enough said; let's go fishing!

Till next time; " .........may screaming drags and monstrous fish romp in
your dreams!!!"

Take care, Jeff M# (219) 383-1119
 

Fishing Report: 1 March 05
Alamo-Southwest Fishing Charters
Lakes: Calaveras & Braunig at San Antonio, TX.
Water Temp.: 69-74 degrees F
Clarity: good
Color: Lt. green

Current patterns: Hybrids - slow, on structure, usually good by last of March;  Redfish: early grouping in open water, above thermocline, scattered clusters- rapidly moving in warm pockets, some larger fish roaming independently;  catfish: fair in baited holes, on most all baits.

Report:

Greetings; new things are happening on our electronic connection to the world wide web!!!!!

We now have a rapid access link to Alamo Adventures and SW Charters. < www.AlamoRedfish.com >
We are developing a  domain for your access to incredible sporting goods discount shopping items, hunting, fishing, and shooting instruction. Complete line of Downriggers sales, accessories, and service. We offer complete marine electronics service evaluations, and service.

Let's FISH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

         Spring has finally reared it's head with surges of warmer weather, offering all those fish in the generator hot ponds a opportunity to return to main lake. Patterns are pretty much standard for early spring. Water, water, water.......... There is over 3000 acres of it out there. To find the Reds this time of year you have to be intent on watching your sonar to be able to stay a breast of where the bait fish is holding. The Reds like screaming above the thermocline looking for those warmer thermals, usually where there are upward swells as the current rips into vertical structure changes.

        Our "schoolie" reds should be in about the 5-11 pound range this spring!!! Totally incredible! Last spring, once the patterns started to stabilize; we were averaging about 25-70 Reds a day! Our better fish last year were in the 14-24 pound range with our biggest for the summer at 27.5 pounds. This year is our 19th year working in the south Texas area. It looks as though we are going to be seeing an even better year this year!

        Final word........ As mother nature continues to warm our waters and back off with the blistering shots of cold air and rain from the north, we'll be well on our way into the new year of chasing the marvelous Reds, here in south Texas.

Take care, start doing your equipment maintenance, be sure to use fresh gas, "DO NOT USE ANY GAS ADDITIVES UNLESS YOU ARE RUNNING FOUR STROKE ENGINES!!!!" Teach the kids to tie a Palomar knot, keep your line fresh, and exercise your drags to get rid of last years water deposits. If in doubt, have your motor's water pumps checked out for proper Impeller operation.

Till later, " .........may screaming drags and monstrous fish romp in your dreams!!!!"

Take care, Jeff   M# (210) 383-1119

Fishing Report - Up-date  7 Sept. 04
Lake Calaveras- San Antonio, TX.
Water temp: 88 degrees
Clarity: Good - 2-4 ft.
Color: Lt. Green

Redfish & Doves!!!!!!!!!

Fall patterns are setting in and Mother Nature appears to be sending us an early fall season.

Redfish: are pre-staging in to their pre-spawn fall patterns. A shame these eggs won't fertilize in fresh water. The fish do everything they are suppose to, but the fertilization just won't happen when not in salt water. We are currently starting to see schools of fish at times that are 10-20 feet thick! Absolutely incredible to see on a good sonar unit. Most of the current schooling fish are averaging about 6-12 pounds, each. Patterns should only get better as temps continue to drop and days get shorter. We are usually fishing the smaller lake Braunig at this time of year due to normally higher temps at Calaveras. It isn't going to happen this year! Again, Mother Nature is blessing us with milder weather and N.E. winds, keeping our current Calaveras temps down around 88 degrees instead of the normal 96-102 temps. These patterns should hold till the first part of November, unless Mr. Winter shows up early.

DOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our bird lease in N.E. San Antonio has been better than last year. Hunts are available; guided or un-guided. From beginners to sharpshooters, lessons and retrieving dogs are available.

Damper than normal mornings have slowed the A.M. shoot, until the past few mornings. The afternoon shoots have been starting to get active around 4:00 and "blazing" till about 6:00, if not later. We've seen one of the new "Urasian" doves. The best part of this lease is you get to enjoy a day out with usually no more than 6-8 other hunters. It sure beats the "combat" birding found on many 'over-packed' day leases. I have the lease broke down into three sections, allowing a group of hunters to have an area to themselves.

GRAIN - Miles of it!!!
For miles, surrounding this property, corn is being combined and the maze has been shredded. The center section holds a tank where some Morning doves are 'dropping' in. Birds should be plentiful, when they decide to fly in and out of the city.

Got to go; the hay has been bailed, calves been vaccinated,  pets annual vet trips are done............
.............. whew............ time to play harder. Deer season is coming, turkeys are looking good, and numerous flights of the early ducks are really showing up at the lake. Need to clean feeders, paint decoys, collect fall planting seed, and work on new ballistic patterns.

Take care, be safe, and plan now for Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Gift certificates for Hunting and Fishing trips are on sale now!!!!!!

Till next time, Jeff   M# (210) 383-1119

Fishing Report:    8 June 04

Lakes: Calaveras & Braunig  @ San Antonio, TX.

Water Temp. & Clarity:   88 degrees F. / good, 2-4 ft.

Pattern Progression:  Early Summer 40% AM / 60% PM

Daily fish average:  25-50 Reds, Stripers are scarce, & Blue Cats are starting to pick up.

Bigger fish:  14-24 pounds

Greetings; Summer is setting in, temperatures are rising, and the fishing is the best I've seen in eighteen years!

The temperatures have reached the upper 80's and the quality of fish is increasing with it. We are seeing about a 98% 'keeper' sized fish for those we're catching. There is a good population of 22-25 inch Reds, with the larger ones mixed in and starting to make a more regular showing.

It's hard to tell someone how good the fishing has been. Daily, the action has been too good. The fish are nice in size, and action is literally "burning up my reels!"

Fishing season is just now approaching what is usually some of the best action of the year; it's hard to imagine that it can get any better.

I'm looking for a new State record Red this year; will it be yours?

Watch the kids around the water, keep the life jackets adjusted properly, remember it's against the law to hang over the side of a boat in motion, and use a lot of sun block on everyone; cancer isn't picky!

Pray for our Troops and our President, leading our "FREE" Nation, under God.

Till next time, "... may screaming drags and monstrous fish romp in your dreams! "

Jeff Snyder, "SW Fishing Charters"  M# (210) 383-1119  W# (210) 649-2435