Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

Fishing doesn’t have to be an expensive sport. In fact, it’s once of the most economical activities you and your family can enjoy together. And this Saturday, it just got better, because this Saturday is Free Fishing Day!

04—You will not need a license in order to fish anywhere in our public waters.

Ann Miller oversees the Aquatic Education program at Parks and Wildlife. Free Fishing day is the cornerstone event of National Fishing and Boating Week. And while it is free, Miller reminds us that it is not a free-for-all.

09—Actually you will have to abide by the same rules and regulations as any other fishing day you just will not have to have a license in order to fish.

You don’t have your own fishing gear? That’s not a problem. You don’t need to own a rod and reel to fish during this free fishing event. Ms. Miller explains.

17—We do have a tackle loaner program so that people can actually borrow equipment. The tackle loaner sites are also on our website, so that you can look up…just put in tackle loaner in the search…and they’ll give you the nearest location where you can go borrow equipment to go fishing.

Find additional information about fishing in Texas and free fishing day on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program supports our series…reminding listeners that June fourth is Free Fishing Day in Texas .

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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This is Passport to Texas

You want to take the family fishing, but maybe time is tight—or funds are tight. No worries. Our state park guide Bryan Frazier says your family can fish for free at state parks.

No one needs a fishing license as long as you’re inside a state park. Our free fishing in state parks program is something that we’ve done and is one of the most popular decisions we’ve ever made. We also have events: everything from fishing derbies to kids’ fishing tournaments, to fishing with a ranger, to learn to fish classes. All over the state. Wherever you are. Chances are there’s a state park near you and chances are there’s a fishing event happening this summer for you and your whole family. If you’re inside a Texas state park, you don’t need a fishing license or stamp, or anything like that. Whether its freshwater or saltwater, if you’re on state park property, we want people to fish and enjoy that—we want you to take kids fishing, and share that, so that down the road—in the future—maybe they’ll take their kids and so on. And just flat out, we don’t want people to miss out on what fishing can be in the state of Texas. And that is: enjoyment, peaceful scenery, and time spent together that you really can’t find in other ways.

Thanks, Bryan.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet…building dependable, reliable trucks for more than 90 years.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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This is Passport to Texas

Memorial Day weekend is the gateway to summer fun. And Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine editor Louie Bond says the June issue takes readers to the coast for a little fishing.

55—We sure are heading to the coast this month, Cecilia. You know, I guess people throughout our agency and throughout the state would argue about what the most exciting type of fishing is, whether it’s catching those big bass out in the lakes or fly fishing on the river…but for me, it’s being out there on the Gulf—what a tempestuous body of water, and what a challenge to fish out there. So, this month I have David Sykes from the Corpus Christi Caller Times and Larry Bozka; both well-known anglers and much to my delight both great writers. And so, we have dueling stories—both of conservation and sport fishing this month down on the lower Texas coast. And I’m excited to read about it. I still recall my favorite redfish experience: catching the biggest fish on the boat when I was eight months pregnant. Surprised a lot of the guys, I can tell you that. But, Larry will help us take a look at redfish, and David’s taking us for a look at that amazing sport fish—the tarpon. So, we hope that everybody will head down to the coast with us this month.

That’s our show…with funding from the Sport Fish restoration program, working to increase fishing and boating opportunities in Texas.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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This is Passport to Texas

Whether you’re an avid angler… or someone who enjoys working with kids… becoming a Volunteer Angler Education Instructor is fun and rewarding.

09—In the instructor class, we give them all of the tools and the knowledge and skills they would need to teach kids the junior angler program.

Ann Miller oversees the program. She says anglers who become instructors get to share their love of fishing with kids…as well teach them how to fish safely and responsibly.

24—Many adults out there are anglers themselves, and really want to share that love of fishing with the younger generation. And this gives them the opportunity to do that. Many adults also are working already with different youth groups and our junior angler program is just a wonderful addition to their potpourri of things that they can do with kids.

Miller says she finds youth group leaders attracted to the Junior Angler program because of the positive on the children they mentor.

11—They do want to have a positive outlet for their energies and enthusiasm and, kids just love it. So, this is something that they can do to steer kids in the right direction.

The Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series and works to increase fishing and boating opportunities in Texas.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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This is Passport to Texas

All Texans deserve reasonable access to coastal fishing opportunities, regardless of their physical abilities.

04—This is Texas and Texans love to fish; and we want to make sure that everybody can fish.

Jim Suydam (sue-DAM) press secretary at the Texas General Land Office, says mobility impaired Texas anglers shouldn’t let concern over beach access stop them from casting a line in Gulf waters.

16—I think people would be amazed to find how easy it really is. Some people may be intimidated to think that it would be harder to access the beach if they have a disability. But I think if they look at how most Texans go to the beach, that you can just drive up and find a nice spot– it’s really very easy.

Although the ADA doesn’t apply to the coast, the state follows its accessibility guidelines because it’s the right thing to do.

25—It’s important in the mix for us when we’re looking at a city’s beach access plan, that we make sure that there is adequate vehicular access as well as pedestrian access. Also, we work to funnel grant monies to areas that will provide special ADA dune walkovers; that’s an important part of the mix. And we’ve put those in, in surfside and in Sea Rim State Park – some of the most popular parks in Texas for fishers.

Find information at passporttotexas.org.

The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program support our series… providing funding for the operations and management of Sea Center Texas.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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