Fishing from the Heart

A Little Something About Me

I am Captain Michael ‘Mike’ Cybak from Corks and Croakers, the leading fishing charter that explores Galveston Bay. I grew up under the care of my grandfather who taught me how to fish and operate a boat properly. My grandfather was the one who taught me everything - from working on the boat, launching and loading the boat, the proper usage of fishing equipment and tackle, and even cleaning fish. My memories of fishing with my grandfather will remain one of my favorite memories. I owe all my wisdom in fishing to him. 

When I am not on a fishing trip, I work as a boat mechanic. I love repairing boats, the same way I love fixing motors and trailers. I also spend time going for a ride on my Harley. I recall driving a tractor for 18 years before attending a marine technician school. I happened to open a boat repair shop after working for various dealerships. I received my captain's license around the same time I opened my repair shop. I decided to evaluate what I love to do more because running a repair shop while guiding anglers is a very demanding job. But I believe soon I will be guiding anglers full-time. Aside from these things, I always enjoy spending time with my wife.

I don't eat fish. It is a fact that most people do not know about me. I know it is strange to some, given that I love to fish.

Fish I Love To Catch  and My Go-To Spots

Galveston Bay is my go-to fishing spot. The bay offers deep water jetty fishing, open water oyster reefs, and flat and marshy areas. You can cast your line 3 feet of water and have a 400-foot ship cruise only 100 yards away from your location. My fishing trip to Lake Champlain, located on the border of New York and Vermont, is also one of the best fishing trips I have ever experienced. Lake Champlain is a very panoramic lake to boat and cast your line. We were able to catch 200 largemouth bass per day with northern pike, musky, smallmouth bass, and pickerel. It was an epic fishing journey.

My preferred species to target in Galveston Bay would be speckled trout, which are active in the bay year-round. Catching a speckled trout can be a bit challenging and demanding at times because they are susceptible to the phases of the moon and barometric pressure. I also love to go after redfish as they are one of the best fighters in Galveston Bay and can be caught year-round. I can often score a small 8” juvenile to a 50” bull red.

As I said, I don’t eat fish, so I don’t cook fish. In Galveston Bay, the tripletail is regarded as the best fish, although they are rarely caught in the bay. Trout, redfish, and flounder are right up there but depends on who you ask. Some people have told me that sheepshead are one of the best eating fish in the bay, as well as black drum. It’s interesting to me to see how opinions of what fish are best vary from person to person. At the end of the day, I can go out to the open water and target whatever species my customers like to eat most.

Pro Fishing Tips and Best Techniques to Use

When it comes to choosing the best fishing equipment, I recommend anglers to purchase reliable equipment. It will limit the number of rods and reels you will purchase. It is also important to take a boaters' safety course when fishing from a boat. Be vigilant and make sure that the boat you will be using is 100% coast guard compliant. It is a must for anglers to have the items needed in case of an emergency because it is dangerous being in the water as it can be an unforgiving place. 

Being prepared will certainly harm no one. When it comes to angling, you must be patient, persistent, and driven. Be ready to fish in all types of weather conditions and poor fish feeding.

I often use live bait in my guided trips. I use live shrimp under a popping cork from October through May, while from June through September, we primarily use live croaker. The feeling of a good trout hitting a croaker is something all anglers should get to experience. I also like to use soft plastic baits year-round to go after trout. Sometimes, I have customers requesting to throw artificial baits, and I have no problem with that. But note that it is very challenging to trick fish into eating or reacting to something artificial. I prefer to use baitcasting equipment. I love to use Shimano reels and American Rodsmith’s rods. In some cases, like when I throw popping cork and shrimp, I prefer to use a spinning reel on my Rodsmith's rods. It is my personal preference because I believe I can catch up to the fish quicker with a spinning reel, especially when using a long leader under a popping cork.

Experience Fishing With Me

I recall my best catch story has to be with the three largest trout I’ve caught. The first big personal best trout came on a popping cork and shrimp. The shrimp was approximately an inch, and it was the last shrimp in the Livewell. I cast the line, and before I could close the bail on my spinning reel, the cork was gone, and the fight was on. I was able to catch a 27 1/2 inch speckled trout, and this remained my personal best for several years. Many years have passed, and I am still trying to break my personal best trout. 

One summer day, my buddy and I were out fishing when I decided to cast a live croaker up against some rocks. After a well-orchestrated fight, my buddy nets my new personal best trout at 28 inches. A picture was taken, and the trout were released eventually. However, the very next cast landed in approximately the same spot against the rocks, and I caught my new personal best-speckled trout at 29 inches. It took me many years to improve my personal best trout. The trout were also released back into the water.

My favorite guide experience has to be taking out two young adult anglers with cerebral palsy. The event was a fishing tournament for the physically challenged. I have been doing this for the past eight years of my life. We fish for monster black drum and whatever we can catch. It makes me feel like I just stepped foot on the moon when you get these anglers hooked up on a good fish. A funny and remarkable trip always stays in my head. I recall having a couple on a guided fishing trip and the wife, Denise, caught an epic amount of redfish and just about everything else that day. The funny part is every fish seemed to swim at the boat after hookset. It just struck her husband funny as she was having an epic day on the water and me.

I love being on my boat and watching the sunrise, where I can only hear the noise coming from the wind and sea. It is how I usually prepare to battle what Mother Nature has in store for me. During these times, I plan my strategy for locating, battling, and catching an unexpected opponent. Fishing is the cake, and catching the fish is the icing. I find my peace while I am on the water, away from the asphalt and fluorescent lights.

I have been fishing the Galveston Bay complex for over 15 years. Cork and Croakers will provide all tackle and equipment needed by anglers. The boat that will be used on the trip is equipped with a dual power pole.

I also support charities and associations such as the Texas CCA Coastal Conservative Association, the Wounded Warrior Project, and the SHS Sisters Helping Sisters. SHS is a local nonprofit organization that helps women battling breast cancer and other types of cancer. I also guide and supports all first responders and physically challenged individuals. I usually donate fishing trios for fundraising events, including the Catholic Church and Fallen First Responder. I recently took part in a fundraising event for the three Houston police officers shot during a gun battle after a car chase. 

If you want to learn more about me and Cork and Croakers, you can check out our website and Facebook page. You will be notified of discounts and important updates by following our pages.