< Previous80 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JANuArY 2024 Planning and being pre- pared for anything on the water will give you the confidence to catch more fish in 2024. COASTMONTHLY.COM | JANuArY 2024 81 HOOKED REIN IN THE NEW YEAR With some planning, chasing fish won’t be like herding cats story and photos by CAPT. NATE SKINNER A s cliché as it sounds, a new year brings about new be- ginnings for anglers. That’s right, there are 12 months of new angling opportunities ahead of us, and how we choose to take advantage of those opportu- nities starts right now. Now is the perfect time to go through gear and tackle and decide what needs to be re- placed or repaired, and what you might need to stock up on to be ready for the water. For me, this process begins with the line on my reels. I use braided line, which lasts a long time, but I still examine each reel to ensure the line is in good condition. If I find weak spots or frayed areas, I’ll likely just re- spool with new braid. One tip about fishing line is to always keep the spool as full of line as possible. Regardless of what type of reel you use, your casting distance always will be opti- mized when the reel is full of line. So, if you have reels that lost some line over the year, I suggest re-spooling to full capacity. Another good practice is getting organized. If you’re like me, then you likely have lures and various forms of tackle scattered around your boat or garage after being on the go and on and off the water over the past year. There’s nothing worse than being out on the water, needing a specific thing, knowing you have it somewhere, but not being able 82 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JANuArY 2024 HOOKED to find it. Take a little time to gather and organize your tackle and baits. You’ll be glad you did the next time you find yourself in the middle of a feeding frenzy and need to retie or re-rig your rod. Stocking up on the essentials also is key. For me, this includes a handful of baits and leader line. I’ve got about five or so lures I throw more than anything else. I rig them all on the main line of my rod and reel with a fluorocarbon leader. I like to have a surplus of these baits and leader lines at all times. So, I’ll take invento- ry and stock up if I’m short of anything. The beginning of the year also is a good time to set goals. Whether you want to try to catch more of a certain species, learn new areas or cast lines in specific angling destina- tions, create a list of goals. Write these goals down and put the list somewhere where you will see it every day. I’ve found this helps accomplish them, rather than letting them get lost in the chaos of life. Excellent angling opportunities will arise over the next few months, but weather will limit them. If you miss the windows of ideal conditions, don’t be discouraged. Use the time you have to plan and prepare. Study satellite images on Google Maps or Google Earth, and examine charts of the areas you plan to fish. Technological tools nowadays give you the opportunity to explore locations before you ever actually see them. I’ve found it helpful to look for similari- ties between the waters I want to explore and the waters I already know. If the fish relate to certain structures, shoreline char- acteristics or depth changes in your home waters, chances are they’ll do the same in new waters. And with today’s technologies, you can find these similarities without ever leaving home. Now is the time to get pumped up about what lies ahead. This is your chance to really accomplish something as an angler. Keep an open mind, and challenge your- self to try new things this year. Doing so will help hone your skills and improve your craft. Make plans to add some variety and diversity to your fishing adventures in 2024. Don’t fall into the same old habits because they are easy. Explore new waters, try new tactics and get outside your comfort zone. The results will be worth the efforts. I hope that you and yours have a blessed and prosperous 2024. And mostly, I hope you’re able to spend some quality time out on the water and make memories that will last forever. Stay safe, and I’ll see you out there. Happy New Year! Keep lures you are confident in organized at all times. COASTMONTHLY.COM | JANuArY 2024 83 home24bank.com | Member FDIC It’s our standard. Is your banker focused on your goals? Serving Galveston and Harris County • Since 1995 WE PROVIDE: Packing & Unpacking • Loading & Unloading Moving Existing Furniture • Boxes & Packing Supplies Disconnect or Reconnect Appliances Fully Insured Coverage For Your Possessions TXDMV#0006297667 & US DOT#1950366 Courteous, Trained Professional Moving Specialists 281-532-4889 www.clearlakemovers. com Galveston County’s #1 Moving Company84 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JANuArY 2024 The university of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing held its Holiday Style Fashion Show & Luncheon on Nov. 16 at the Galveston Island Convention Center. The premier event featured a professional runway show produced by Lenny Matuszewski with fashions by Tootsies. Other highlights included silent auction packages, a gourmet menu prepared by the chefs at the San Luis resort and a pop-up boutique with immediate access to fashion items from the style show. Photos by Carla Peoples HOLIDAY STYLE FASHION SHOW & LUNCHEON PARTY PICS PICTURED: 1. Cheryl Day, Natalie Bachynsky, Jacquelyn Svoboda, Dean of Nursing Dr. Deborah Jones and Bonnie Webster. 2. Karen Flowers, Andrea Sunseri, Susan Walker, Anne Frank and Carolyn Sunseri. 3. Helen Carmody Stroud, Stephanie Jinks, Alicia Cahill, Cara Koza, Wendy O’Donohoe and Erica Farmer. 4. Dr. Beth Ulrich, Jolyn Scheirman, Denise Vaughn, Sally Kline, Kathleen Bucher and Gail Cantini. 5. Sally Galbraith, Teri Tillotson, Coast Monthly Editor Laura Elder and The Daily News Editor Michael A. Smith. 6. Shator King, Cindy West and Jalessa Franklin. 7. 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TURN YOUR DREAMS INTO REALITY! 800.231.6053 | AMOCOfcu.org86 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JANuArY 2024 Guests in Victorian dress attended The Smoking Bishop’s Soirée on Dec. 1 at the 1892 Bishop’s Palace in Galveston. The special event, held in conjunction with the 50th annual Dickens on the Strand festival, featured award-winning performers, a carefully curated food and drink menu and appearance by descendants of Charles Dickens. Photos by Carla Peoples THE SMOKING BISHOP’S SOIRÉE PARTY PICS PICTURED: 1. Reggie Delgado, Sarah Dyer, Shane Michael Sovnosky, Marion Dickens Lloyd, Alice Wilson and Sarah Dang. 2. Descendants of Charles Dickens: Ollie Dickens, Lucy Bacon, Marion Lloyd, Polly Boyd, Harry Whinney, Jane Dickens Monk, Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, Debbie Dickens and Mark Dickens. 3. Dr. Gil Triplett and Janice Woody Triplett. 4. Reanne Jenkins and Hilberta Johnson. 5. British Consul General Richard Hyde, Rachel Brownhill as Queen Victoria and Taavi Mark. 6. 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