Man have I been busy! Work has had me bouncing back and forth between Austin and Houston for the past month or so. I did find the time to get down to Galveston between trips to fish the second tournament of the Lone Star Kayak Series last Saturday. 120+ of some of the best inshore kayak anglers in Texas registered for this one so I certainly had my work cut out for me. A day and a half of pre fishing had me concerned as my efforts had only produced a single red drum from the new marshes I had been exploring with my good fishing buddy Gerardo Olmos from Houston. That single red was 1/4" over the slot and broke one of my rods. A soon as the rod loaded up I knew it was a good chance this fish was over the slot and then "SNAP!" The power of these fish is just unreal! I guess that's what keeps me coming back for more....

At this point I am down one rod and not feeling very confident in the next days tournament. I did however eliminate some water and decided to revisit a marsh system that has produced time and time again for me this time of year. Started the day with a very low water conditions but a strong incoming tide. After boating three reds all under the slot in the first 45 minutes on the water, I started second guessing my decision. I moved out of the now flooded marsh and into the main drains where I started working a popping cork very aggressively. It didn't take long after changing tactics and I was hooked up with a mid to upper slot red.....and that was it. For hours and hours it seemed...that was it! I made the decision to start back to the launch in hope that I could luck into that second fish I needed to get me in the money. While paddling along side my fishing partner, discussing the day, one random cast hooked me into a second mid slot red! That popping cork never stopped as it landed on the surface. Must have hit him right in the face! Now I had a 25" and a 26" to take to the weigh in. I knew this wouldn't put me in the top 3 but maybe top 10.

Well, better then I thought! Good enough for 6th! Those two fish earned me some gas money and a little extra. Also included in my winnings was a very nice wading belt from EZ Wade. I am no wade fisherman but now I have reason to give it a shot.
Big thanks to Dustin Koreba for putting on such a great tournament trail and no doubt Rick and Patti over at Anglers Pro Tackle for all of their support!

This is a great tournament trail to fish if you have ever even considered a red fish series. Go check them out and I hope to see you at the weigh in in August!
Lone Star Kayak Series

Congrats Joe on an awesome finish against some very talented anglers! Can't wait to hit the coast with you!

Great finish! Congratulations Joe!

Congrats on a Solid finish!

6th place isn't shabby! Nice reds as well!

Congrats man!! That's an awesome turn out!

Alright, catch your breath, and lets plan a trip.