Please click on the link for more information about the 2011 Toy Run.

Release category winners:

1st Place: Brand Name, Owner: Stephen Rogers 1,500 Billfish Release Points
2nd Place: $ea Dollar$, Owner: Jack Beal 1,000 Billfish Release Points
3rd Place: Hattitude, Owner Russell and Sherry Potter 1,000 Billfish Release Points

Tournament Winner: Brand Name

1st Place Tuna:
Donaken, Owner: Ken Porter
Angler: Jason Fuller…91.85 pounds

1st Place Dolphin:
Bandit, Owner: Bert Steindorf
Angler: Andy Eckleston…38.85 pounds

1st Place Wahoo:
Tres Ninos, Owner: Pat Wallace
Angler: Nick Jordan…64.5 pounds

Top Female Angler:
Hattitude, Owner and Angler: Sherry Potter, 700 Billfish Release Points

Once again, the big winner was the Houston Big Game Fishing Club’s Charitable Program in the amount of $21,500.00!

For all Tournament results, please visit: Tournament Results
For all Tournament pictures, please visit: Tournament Pictures

We would like to extend a very special thank you to Randy Bright, Tournament Chairman and the entire Tournament Committee including Jim Peachey, Kevin Harper, Kevin Deerman, Wayne Timmermann, and Dee Wallace for all of their hard work, time and dedication.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today the awarding of more than $13.5 million in competitive grants to 11 states for 16 boating infrastructure projects. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awards these grants, which will help fund construction of docks, boat slips and other facilities to support recreational boating, through the Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program.

“The Boating Infrastructure Grant program is one of the many ways we support access and provide quality outdoor opportunities for the nation’s recreational anglers and boaters,” said Secretary Salazar. “These grants also spur major construction projects, creating jobs and providing much-needed economic benefits.”

Funding for the BIG program comes from the Sport Fishing and Boating Trust Fund, formerly known as the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, which boaters and manufacturers support through excise and other taxes on certain fishing and boating equipment and boat fuels. The Service will also release approximately $2.7 million to 27 states, commonwealths, and territories willing to match a smaller, non-competitive grant program known as “BIG Tier 1” funding.

Grantees use Boating Infrastructure Grant funds to construct, renovate, and maintain facilities with features for transient boats (those staying 10 days or less) that are 26 feet or more in length and used for recreation. Grantees may also use fundspors to produce and distribute information and educational materials about the program and recreational boating.

The Service received 20 eligible applications from 13 states for the “BIG Tier 2” competitive grants. The 16 winning projects for competitive grants include:

• Alabama: The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, in cooperation with the Alabama Tourism Department and Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, will receive $520,993 and match that amount with $765,411 to add an 1170-foot dock for transient recreation boats that will accommodate 30 vessels at Barber Marina. The new full service marina will also provide safe harbor from tropical storms on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
• California: The California Department of Boating and Waterways, in cooperation with the HIW Associates and their partners, will receive $882,728 and match that amount with $882,728 to re-construct a new facility to include a transient berthing area for up to 13 vessels, a modernized fueling station to include high-speed fueling, a new pumpout, an oil recycling center, and ADA restrooms.
• The California Department of Boating and Waterways, in cooperation with Bellport Anacapa Marina and their partners will receive $1,500,000 million and match that amount with $1,200,000 to demolish an old facility and replace it with a new marina to include a 52 slip addition for transient recreational boats on Channel Islands Harbor.
• The California Department of Boating and Waterways, in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors will receive $1,314,692 and match that amount with $4,512,895 to convert 35 existing transient slips into 45 transient slips, replace the existing pumpout, and update services.
• Ohio: The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the City of Cleveland and partners will receive $1,450,400 and match that with $509,600 to build new floating docks for 53 transient boat slips including 3 ADA accessible slips and ramp, a new shower, restrooms, laundry building, and amenities.
• Illinois: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the City of Rock Island, will receive $1,500,000 and match that amount with $565,000 to add a floating dock system that will accommodate 23 transient slips at the Schwiebert Riverfront Park on the Mississippi River.
• Maine: The Maine Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Town of Kittery and the Kittery Port Authority will receive $242,766 and match that amount with $90,000 to construct a pier, ramp, and float system that will create new docking space for 12 transient boats.
• Mississippi: The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, in cooperation with The City of Bay St. Louis and partners will receive $470,139 and match that amount with $470,139 to build a marina in an area devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Seven percent of the new marina will be for transient recreational boaters and provide 475 feet of guest moorage for transient recreational boats, safe harbor, and amenities.
• New York: The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, in cooperation with the City of Rochester, BIDCO Marine Group, and Edgewater Resources, will receive $1,450,000 and match that amount with $2,188,515 to add 64 transient slips with dockside utilities, create a deep-draft safe harbor, create an access point for the City of Rochester, and provide boater services and education on Lake Ontario.
• The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, in cooperation with The Manhattan River Group, LLC and partners will receive $669,286 and match that amount with $235,154 to renovate an existing marina on the Hudson River to include space for 80 transient vessels, access to NYC, transient recreational boating amenities such as showers, dinghy dock, and pumpout as well as a Chinese junk for transportation between boats and land.
• The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, in cooperation with the Village of Greenport and partners will receive $105,963 and match that amount with $45,413 to add pedestals and improve electrical service to accommodate the needs of large, transient boats. The marina serves Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.
• The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, in cooperation with The City of Ogdensburg and partners will receive $501,311 and match that amount with $176,141 to add a new fueling station and berthing for 32 – 45 transient recreational boats on the St. Lawrence River.
• Tennessee: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, in cooperation with Norris Dam Marina (H&B Enterprises of Norris) and partners will receive $357,050 and match it with $357,050 to add 21 tie-up facilities to an existing 218 slip marina on the 73-mile long Norris Lake in Tennessee. The marina is currently full with seasonal customers and the project will include catwalks, utilities, restrooms, and showers to accommodate transient boaters.
• Texas: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, in cooperation with Blackberry Island, LP will receive $511,210 and match that with an amount of $511,210 to refurbish an old industrial marina to create a marina for transient and other boaters. It will include new dockage for 21 transient boats, restroom/shower facility, and other boater amenities.
• Virginia: The Virginia Department of Health, in cooperation with The Town of West Point and partners will receive $570,043 and will match that with $575,444 to redevelop a vacant marina on the Mattaponi River. The project will create a full-service marina to include 41 transient slips, fuel dock, and restrooms.
• Washington: The State of Washington Recreation and Conservation Office, in cooperation with the Port of Anacortes and partners will receive $1,476,193 and match that with $1,447,532 to replace 2 docks with state-of-the-art floats and upgraded amenities for an estimated 54 transient slips. The project is located on a sheltered harbor on Fidalgo Bay in Puget Sound.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

The tournament was held July 14^th to July 17^th,. The tournament began with “Calcutta” night and ended with the annual Saturday night awards party. On Friday, July 16th and Saturday, July 17th hundreds of people gathered for the “Weigh-In” which always brings excitement and entertainment to this sports fishing tradition.

The Poco Bueno Tournament had ninety five (95) boat entries for the offshore tournament and had seventy nine (79) boat entries for the inshore tournament. The excitement was high as the total prize money was a new tournament record.

1st Place Tournament Champion- Ruthless

Forty Three (43) boats gathered in Port O’Connor, Texas for the Houston Big Game Fishing Club’s 6th annual invitational billfish tournament, newly named The Lone Star Shootout. The tournament was held June 23rd to June 26th at the new Caracol Waterfront Development in Port O’Connor. After a busy “calcutta” night on Wednesday, June 23rd, the boats began departing Port O’Connor at 5:00 PM on Thursday, June 24th , for the trip to blue water. The excitement was high as the total prize money was a new tournament record of $578,300.

The fleet was greeted by calm seas and a comfortable ride to the fishing grounds. When the start fishing time was announced at 12:00 midnight, most of the boats were 50 to 150 miles offshore and ready to begin their choice of night time tuna fishing or swordfishing. The bite was steady thru the dark hours as numerous big yellowfin tuna were landed at the deep water rigs. John and Joanne Kolius, aboard the 45 Viking, Argo, reported a swordfish in the boat as did Mike McLees on his 33 Grady White, Michelle Rae II. Swordfish had to meet a 60” short length minimum, 12” in excess of the federal minimum. Numerous big tuna were reported thru the night as well as several released swordfish.

The excellent fishing during the night continued with first light. The Ruthless, Greg Smith’s 53 Ocean, called in the first blue marlin release at 7:12 am and the real shootout was on! Bad Intensions, Debbie Conway’s 64 Viking, called in a blue marlin release at 7:18 and Ben Heilker’s 54 Bertram, Mechanical Man, got on the board with a released blue marlin at 7:35. The Ruthless jumped out in front with their second blue marlin at 9:25. Sea Mixer, Ronald Davis’ 55 Viking got hot and released a blue and sail before noon. The billfish release calls came in steady throughout day with the 48 Viking of Joe Fraser, Bottom Dollar, jumping in to a first place tie with 2 blue marlin releases at 4:35 and 5:15. Sea Mixer kept the heat on with a white marlin, giving them a grand slam and they added another sailfish before the end of the day. As day one came to a close Ruthless was sitting in first place, based on release time, with 2 blues for a 1,000 points. Bottom Dollar was tied on points with their 2 blue marlin releases and Sea Mixer was only 100 points back with a blue marlin, white marlin and two sailfish for 900 points. The Six Chicks, Russell Lindley and Mike Dowler’s 45 Bertram, was near the lead with a blue marlin and white marlin release for 700 points. Four other boats, Nemesis, Tailwalker, Ollie Dora and Hydrocarbon were all poised in good position as they each had blue marlin and sailfish releases for 600 points. Nine other boats released blue marlin on the first day and were on the board with 500 points. The first day tally saw a total of 18 blue marlin, 4 white marlin and 12 sailfish released and 8 boats had at least 2 billfish releases.

For the second year in a row the hot bite from day one did not continue into day two. Argo reported a second swordfish boated and the Blue Eagle, a 61 Viking owned by the Jones Brothers got on the board early with a blue marlin release at 6:46 AM. With so many boats with a shot at winning after the first day the radio stayed quiet as the teams grinded for the fish that might jump them in to the lead. Mike Thorn-Leeson’s 60 Hatteras, Nereus, released a blue marlin at 12:53 and Monty Scruggs on his 55 Viking, Happy Hour, released a blue late in the day to apply some pressure but the blue marlin bite seemed to have shut down. Surprisingly, none of the boats that got on the board on Friday were able to score another point on Saturday and the standings remained the same up to the 3:00 quit fishing time. Pending video review, team Ruthless had their first ever tournament win!

In addition to the outstanding billfish action, reports of big wahoo, tuna and dolphin had come in steady both days and the weigh station stayed busy throughout Saturday evening to the delight of the big crowd gathered.

The 2010 Lone Star Shootout set tournament records for boat entries with 43, total prize money of $578,300.00, total billfish released of 40, blue marlin released of 20 and a new tournament record dolphin of 53.2 pounds. Most importantly the tournament set a new record for it’s charitable contribution to the Houston Big Game Fishing Club’s Scholarship and Conservation Fund of $28,915.00. Lone Star Shootout Tournament dates for 2011 are June 22 to June 26. For more information on the Lone Star Shootout go to www.thelonestarshootout.com.

2010 Lone Star Shootout Final Results:

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP

Boat Model Owner Captain Points Released

1st Place
Ruthless 53 Ocean Greg Smith Mike Jackson 1000 2 Blue Marlin

2nd Place
Bottom Dollar 48 Viking Joe Fraser Joe Fraser 1000 2 Blue Marlin

3rd Place
Sea Mixer 55 Viking Ronald Davis Devin Potts 900 1 Blue Marlin, 1 White Marlin, 2 Sailfish

4th Place
Six Chicks 45 Bertram Mike Dowler and Russell Lindley Troy Day 700 1 Blue Marlin, 1 White Marlin

Friday Daily
Ruthless 53 Ocean Greg Smith Mike Jackson 1000 2 Blue Marlin

Saturday Daily
Blue Eagle 61 Viking Brad, Hal & Stewart Jones Jason “Tiny” Walcott 500 1 Blue Marlin

TUNA DIVISION
Boat Model Owner Captain Angler Weight

1st Place
Reel Attitude 68 Viking Jim Douglas Jim Douglas Edgar Artecona 147.2

2nd Place
The Situation 60 Hatteras Clayton Reaser Dean Pfifer Craig Sander 133

3rd Place
Patron 66 Custom Tom Shumate Joe Lyall Mike Bertagna 85.4

WAHOO DIVISION

Boat Model Owner Captain Angler Weight

1st Place
Hydrocarbon 40 Cabo Ramsey & Jon Richards Ramsey Richards Kenny Milne 72

2nd Place
Pipe Dream 60 Spencer Don & Barry Milner Justin Drummond Russell Bailey 59.1

3rd Place
Nemesis 64 Sunny Briggs Nemesis Bluewater Warren Beatty Tom Gray 54.6

DOLPHIN DIVISION
Boat Model Owner Captain Angler Weight

1st Place
Bandit 74 Viking Bert Steindorf Kevin Scott Ben Scott 53.2

2nd Place
Chachalaca 48 Cabo Jody McCord Anthony Mendillo, Jr. Jody McCord 48.9

3rd Place
First Choice 60 Hatteras Dennis Pasentine Jerry Jones Johnny Pasentine 40.1

SWORDFISH DIVISION
Boat Model Owner Captain Angler Weight

1st Place
Argo 45 Viking John and Joanne Kolius Ryan Doxey John Kolius 187

2nd Place
Argo 45 Viking John and Joanne Kolius Ryan Doxey Joanne Kolius 117

3rd Place
Michelle Rae II 33 Grady White Mike McLees Mike McLees Christopher McLees 113.7

Top Captain
Mike Jackson Ruthless 53 Ocean Greg Smith, Owner

Top Mate
Will Smith Ruthless 53 Ocean Greg Smith, Owner

Top Female Angler
Diana Wood Smoker II 51 Bertram Dudley Wood Bob Burns, Captain

Top Junior Angler
Ben Scott Bandit 74 Viking Bert Steindorf Kevin Scott, Captain

The Lone Star Shootout is produced by the Houston Big Game Fishing Club. The Houston Big Game Fishing Club is a 501-C3 non-profit corporation and is organized for educational, conservation, social and recreational purposes and to foster, promote and increase the interest in the sport of big game fishing and related fields. The Houston Big Game Fishing Club places a priority on conservation and education including its college scholarship program and support of billfish conservation projects. For more information on the Houston Big Game Fishing Club please visit: www.hbgfc.com.

So this past Monday off I drove. The drive was so quick and so easy, I had to ask myself why hadn’t I done this before??? The two days on the water with Tom enlightened and delighted me beyond my wildest hopes. Not only was the water clearer than I had anticipated, but the variety of fish which presented itself during my adventure there was thrilling. Tom was a great host and guide with his enthusiasm for the sport of fly fishing and for his habitat. I came back from the trip more knowledgeable and more excited than ever about this sleepy little fishing town of Port O’Connor and its productive flats, levies and channels. It was every Houstonian sight-caster’s dream. And only 2.5 hrs away. Did I mention my awesome accommodations??? I stayed at the Poco Loco, recommended by Tom, and was greeted by the owner himself, Mike (who was playing cards in the “living room” with other residents) with an ice cold Coronita. My room was fully stocked with FREE bags ice, sodas, snacks, candy, juices, Starbucks coffee and Tabasco. The A/C was great and cranked down nice and low to keep my sun-burnt body more comfortable and I slept like a baby.

The only blip on the scene was the lack of tarpon. Tom assured me that they do exist, but that they just do not love a strong southwestern, which I encountered both days. Alas the fight with my 21lbs Jack and 28.5 Bull Red more than made up for the no show of the tarpon and was well worth the sore arm and stomach the next day. There’s nothing like sight casting your 12wt to a 20lbs plus fish!! The Bull Reds made a great showing and were all over the place feeding on huge crabs riding the tides out to sea. We must of seen 50 over the course of 2 hours crashing the surfaces left and right. Needless to say, I can’t wait to head back down again to try for the Kings and Tarpon…and maybe a few flats’ redfish on the side. Thanks iFly for hosting not only the Caracol’s raffle, but the event in which first peeked my interest in the Texas Coast and introduced me to Capt. Tom Horbey this past May. What a blast! Here’s to keeping lines tight and work light!

Meredith McCord
Owner/Janitor
The Mad Potter: Paint-your-own-Pottery Studios

Visit iFly’s website: iFly

Fishing: Caracol’s close proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway makes it a unique deep-water fishing destination. Offshore rigs just five miles from Port O’Connor docks are ideal places to fish for sailfish, marlin, tuna, dolphin and wahoo. Port O’Connor also boasts the largest and deepest bay system on the Texas Gulf Coast. Favorite fishing spots include Matagorda Bay, Espiritu Santu Bay and San Antonio Bay. These waterways are full of redfish, shark, flounder, pompano, gafftop, whiting, croaker, sheephead, drum, jack crevalle and Spanish mackerel.

Birding: Bird watching is a popular recreational activity along the Texas Gulf Coast, with Port O’Connor being one of the best birding areas in the state. For the last five years the area surrounding Port O’Connor has held the record for the most bird species spotted in the nation, including the Whooping Crane. At nearly five feet tall, the Whooping Crane is the tallest bird found in North America. They fly south each October from Canada down to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, which is only miles from Port O’Connor.

Shelling: Whether a serious or casual beachcomber, Port O’Connor offers numerous shelling opportunities including, the jetties along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, the Gulf beaches adjoining Pass Cavallo and several spots on Matagorda Island.

Matagorda Island: A short boat ride from Caracol is pristine Matagorda Island State Park. Matagorda Island offers a variety of activities including fishing, swimming, shelling, hunting, camping and birding. Matagorda Island is unique in that it is almost completely in its natural state. There are no convenience stores, condos, vendors or even electricity allowed on the island. Just miles and miles of unblemished beaches. The island is also home to the Matagorda Island Lighthouse, the state’s oldest operational lighthouse.

History: Port O’Connor began in the late nineteenth century as a fishing settlement called Alligator Head. As it grew in popularity with both permanent residents and tourists, the community took on more municipal-like characteristics, earning the formal name as the town site of Port O’Connor in 1912. Port O’Connor’s heyday spanned the ten years from 1909 to 1919, resulting in growth that has yet to be matched. Excursion trains used to run on weekends to Port O’Connor and an estimated 10,000 tourists came every summer.

About Trend Development, Inc.
Trend Development, Inc. is a small, privately held, Texas real estate development group, with multiple large-scale projects in Texas in various stages of development and construction, including the master-planned communities of Gleannloch Farms and Long Meadow Farms.

About Forestar Real Estate Group
With offices in Austin, Atlanta and Dallas, Forestar Real Estate Group has been in the real estate development business for nearly half a century. Forestar and its affiliates currently have over 78 projects in eight states and 12 markets, including all the major markets of Texas. Forestar is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temple-Inland, Inc., an Austin-based Fortune 500 company.

“We designed Caracol with the deep-sea fisherman in mind,” said Rob Fondren of Trend Development, Inc. “Our close proximity to deep waters make Caracol a highly-desirable location for the serious fisherman.”

Caracol is located in a historic area known for its inshore and offshore fishing. The waters just off the shores of Port O’Connor are teeming with red snapper, king, ling, tarpon and jack fish. And further offshore, the deep water abounds with sailfish, tuna, dolphin, wahoo, and the much sought-after blue marlin.

As a result of its reputation for world-class fishing, Port O’Connor is home to the Poco Bueno fishing tournament, the number one offshore fishing tournament in Texas. Each July Port O’Connor is flooded with hundreds of fisherman who participate in the competition.

About Caracol
Caracol is a premier, master-planned community located in Port O’Connor, Texas. Upon its completion, the canal community will feature 74 home sites that range in lot widths from 40 ft. to more than 100 ft. Prices begin in the $100,000s. Plans for a second phase of Caracol feature a mid-rise condo community situated on a marina.
Caracol is a joint development by Trend Development, Inc. and Forestar Real Estate Group. For more information about Caracol visit www.caracolcoastal.com.

About Trend Development, Inc.
Trend Development, Inc. is a small, privately held, Texas real estate development group, with multiple large-scale projects in Texas in various stages of development and construction, including the master-planned communities of Gleannloch Farms and Long Meadow Farms.

About Forestar Real Estate Group
Forestar Real Estate Group Inc. (NYSE: FOR) operates in two business segments: real estate and natural resources. The real estate segment owns directly or through ventures about 373,000 acres of real estate located in ten states and thirteen markets in the U.S. The natural resources segment manages about 622,000 net acres of oil and gas mineral interests, sells wood fiber from its land primarily located in Georgia, and leases land for recreational uses. Forestar’s address on the World Wide Web is www.forestargroup.com

* High-res renderings available upon request.

“We are excited to bring this unique community to the Texas coast,” said Rob Fondren of Trend Development, Inc. “Port O’Connor has been a favorite vacationing spot for my family for years and I am excited to share it with those who have a similar love for coastal living.”

Inspired by coastal beach villages and exclusive canal communities on the Florida coast, careful consideration was taken in the design of Caracol. The gated entryways, brick and concrete-paved drives and lush, tropical landscaping compliment the region’s architectural heritage and natural beauty. In addition, architectural controls have been set into place to preserve the community’s casual, yet upscale lifestyle.
Home sites begin in the $100,000’s and range in lot widths from 40 ft. to more than 100 ft. A welcome center is located onsite and is open seven days a week.

Plans for the second phase of Caracol, feature a mid-rise, condo community situated on a marina.

About Trend Development, Inc.
Trend Development, Inc. is a small, privately held, Texas real estate development group, with multiple large-scale projects in Texas in various stages of development and construction, including the master-planned communities of Gleannloch Farms and Long Meadow Farms.

About Forestar Real Estate Group
With offices in Austin, Atlanta and Dallas, Forestar Real Estate Group has been in the real estate development business for nearly half a century. Forestar and its affiliates currently have over 78 projects in eight states and 12 markets, including all the major markets of Texas. Forestar is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temple-Inland, Inc., an Austin-based Fortune 500 company.

* High-res renderings available upon request.

*High-res photo available upon request.