Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Acosta
HOOD OUTDOORS
As a licensed professional fishing guide, Michael Acosta shows you how to find them. A Granbury resident of more than 35 years, he has been fishing all of his life, and has been a licensed guide since 1998.
Out on the lake all day fishing a tournament, in the heat at work or participating in other outdoor activities in this brutal Texas heat can cause overheating of your body. Too much heat stress can lead to a heat illness that is the body's way of saying it can't take the heat.
Here is some information on three types of heat stress. Each type may require a different action. You should seek medical attention if there is any doubt of the seriousness of the stress.
There are three kinds of heat illness — heatstroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps. They can occur separately or in combination.
Loss of body salt can lead to heat cramps. Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms. The arms, legs and abdomen are usually affected first, but any muscles used when working are susceptible. Heat cramps strike those who sweat profusely and drink a lot of water but fail to replace body salt lost through sweating. Low salt content in the muscles cause painful cramps during or after work hours.
To treat a victim of heat cramps press firmly with your hands on the cramped muscle or gently massage them to relieve the spasm. If the victim has no other medical condition, you can give the victim half a glass of salt water (one teaspoon of salt per glass of water) every 15 minutes for about an hour. Victims with other medical conditions should see a doctor.
When body fluids get low, heat exhaustion can set in. Heat exhaustion develops when the body loses more fluid through sweating than it is taking in. A victim of heat exhaustion sweats profusely but becomes extremely weak or giddy. In more serious cases, the victim may vomit or faint. The skin becomes clammy and the complexion pale, but body temperature stays fairly normal.
To treat a victim of heat exhaustion, have the person sip water for about an hour while lying down. Loosen any clothing and raise the victim's feet 8-12 inches. Then apply cool, wet cloths and fan the victim. If vomiting occurs, discontinue fluids and take the person to a hospital where an IV can be started and intravenous fluids can be administered.
Heatstroke happens when sweating stops. Heatstroke occurs when the body's heat-regulating system breaks down under stress and sweating stops. There may be little warning, and unless the victim receives quick treatment, death can occur. A heat-stroke victim usually has red or spotted skin and the body temperature can reach 105 F or higher. The victim may also suffer from confusion, convulsions or delirium before losing consciousness. Unless the victim receives treatment, death can occur.
If you think someone is having heatstroke, call for professional help immediately and move the person to a cool place. Then thoroughly soak the person's clothing with cool water. If you are at home and this occurs, place the victim in a tub of cold water (do not add ice). When the victim's temperature has dropped, dry him or her off. If body temperature rises again, repeat the process.
Beat the heat. Keep cool, and drink plenty of fluids. If you or someone you’re with starts experiencing any of these symptoms take action immediately. Enjoy our Texas sun as the season has definitely started, but be wary of any overheating warning.
HOOD COUNTY
FISHING REPORT
Granbury water levels continue to be about 2 feet low. Water temperatures are rising into the low 80 to mid-80s. I have seen evidence of a thermocline developing on the lower ends, which will push fish to the top layer of water. Striped bass to 13 pounds are excellent on live bait fished from near Indian Harbor to the dam. Crappie are also excellent on minnows and jigs near underwater structure on many parts of the lake. Sand bass are fair on slabs and minnows fished near the Shores and Indian Harbor. Largemouth bass numbers are good with an occasional bigger fish to 7 pounds being caught. Some top water action early for largemouth and later in the day soft plastics and spinner baits have been effective. Granbury blue and yellow catfish continue to be fair to good on cut shad.
OTHER RESERVOIRS
On other reservoirs, Possum Kingdom Lake big striped bass are excellent on live bait and down rigged jigs on the lower ends. Possum Kingdom largemouth bass to 9 pounds are possible mid-lake around major creek entrances. Lake Whitney striped bass limits continue to be common on live shad, bream or shiners. Proctor sand bass and catfish action continues to be excellent.
michael.acosta@att.net | 254-396-4855
